DC police remove barricades from George Washington University as pro-Palestine protests enter 8th day

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — The encampment at George Washington University (GWU) now enters its eighth day as police at colleges and universities around the country have moved in to break down pro-Palestine encampments.

Republican Congressional leaders are now putting pressure on the District to clear them out.

Early Thursday morning, protesters could be heard chanting on GWU’s campus after the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) moved in to remove the barricades that protesters took down and threw in the middle of University Yard.

They shouted “Cops off this campus now” — saying they are not afraid and they are not leaving.

This comes a day after Republican leaders were heckled and shouted at as they threatened to pull federal funding from the university. They calling on D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser to remove the protesters – or else they say Congress will step in.

On Wednesday, GOP leaders declared the protesters were illegally trespassing and criticized Bowser for not doing more to clear the encampment.

“And it’s very disrespectful,” said Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert from Colorado. “We have Jewish students, many of whom have approached me today, who fear for the safety of their lives by the comments that are being made.”

For over a week, protesters at GWU have been calling for a ceasefire in Gaza and demanding the university divest from any companies helping fund Israel.

They say they are prepared to face arrest and suspension for their cause – so far, protesters say eight students have been suspended.

Regardless, students say they will stay at the encampment for as long as it takes.

“The continued conflation between anti-Semitism and anti-Zionism is once again a diversion tactic,” said protester Hannah Martin. “We are here for concrete reasons and we are standing strong on our principles.”

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