At least 33 people were arrested as the police cleared out an unauthorised pro-Palestine protest site at George Washington University in the US. Officers from the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, DC used pepper spray to disperse the protesters who had been inside the encampment in the University Yard area since April 25.
The police confirmed that they used pepper spray outside the encampment against protesters who were trying to break police lines and enter. A police officer was also assaulted in the violence, The Associated Press reported.
Here are the latest developments:
While announcing the cancellation of the scheduled testimony of the Mayor and police chief, Republican House Oversight Chair James Comer also took credit for spurring action. “I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We will continue to hold DC officials accountable to ensure our nation’s capital is safe for all,” CNN quoted Comer as saying.
President Joe Biden believes the right to dissent is “fundamental to who we are, but it cannot lead to disorder and violence, threats, vandalism, trespassing and/or shutting down campuses", White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. "Students have the right to be safe, and antisemitism is repugnant, and we’ve been very clear about that.”
Tensions grew in recent days after police removed a large Palestinian flag that demonstrators had raised above a campus building. The university called the flag's hoisting an "aggressive act of lawlessness".
