Two progressive members of the ‘Squad’ invited pro-Palestinian protesters from George Washington University to speak at the Capitol and condemned DC police for ‘assaulting’ them while clearing their student encampment.
After weeks of occupying the George Washington University (GWU) school lawn, pro-Palestinian protesters were expelled from their Gaza solidarity camp early Wednesday morning.
‘Squad’ lawmakers praised student protesters for having ‘gone through a lot’ defending Gaza and criticized D.C. police for clearing the camp.
They praised the student protesters for standing up to the ‘genocide in Gaza’ and for resisting slanderous accusations that the students are anti-Semitic.
However, protesters in the camp made blatant calls for Israel’s destruction, including slogans of “from the river to the sea” and “intifada revolution.”
One protester at GWU even held a sign defending Adolf Hitler’s final solution, his plan to kill all the Jews in the world.
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo. (center), is joined by fellow progressive ‘Squad’ member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich. (center-right), and students from George Washington University who helped organize the program. Solidarity with Gaza’ from the school. Camp’ at a press conference on Wednesday
Both progressive members of the ‘Squad’ criticized DC police for brutalizing peaceful student protesters during their raid on the encampment.
Metropolitan Police Department officers pepper spray protesters at George Washington University
“We woke up this morning to the disturbing news that the DC Metropolitan Police Department had raided the GW Gaza solidarity camp and assaulted, pepper-sprayed, and arrested non-violently protesting students in the middle of the night,” said Rep. Cori Bush, a Democrat. Missouri furious at press event.
“All of this is happening because those who refuse to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza believe they can arrest and brutalize their way out of this situation.”
“They believe they can intimidate and erase the overwhelming voices calling for peace and justice,” Bush continued.
Bush and fellow progressive ‘Squad’ member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., hosted the event, which included GWU students who facilitated the camp.
On Monday, university President Ellen Granberg declared the camp illegal and dangerous.
“What is currently happening at GW is not a peaceful protest protected by the First Amendment or our university policies,” Granberg wrote in a statement.
“The demonstration, like many across the country, has grown into what can only be classified as an illegal and potentially dangerous occupation of GW property.”
DC police officers stand guard outside the GWU campus after the Gaza solidarity camp was removed early Wednesday morning.
At least 33 students were arrested for occupying the university campus
Finally, heeding Granberg’s pleas, around 4:00 a.m. Wednesday morning, D.C. police arrested at least 33 students at the camp after they refused the university’s demands to leave.
According to D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, last week authorities “We began to see an escalation in the volatility of the protests,” leading to the cleanup of the camp on Wednesday.
Still, despite local police’s explanation for the raid, lawmakers were angry that the students were expelled.
“I want all Democrats and Republicans to know that they cannot stop this growing dissent,” Tlaib said Wednesday. “These students’ First Amendment rights end when they enter campus.”
“It’s outrageous that police are now entering college campuses across our country with their guns drawn, targeting students with pepper spray, tear gas, rubber bullets and catastrophes,” he said.
She then declared “shame” as members of the crowd joined her in singing.
GWU student protesters occupied one of the school’s lawns for weeks.
Several Jewish students at the university told DailyMail.com in recent weeks that they felt fear as a result of the anti-Israel demonstrations and that activists sometimes seemed more “pro-Hamas” than pro-Palestinian.
“I thought it was amazing to see these different communities from different backgrounds come together in this sense of fighting oppression against anyone, no matter who they are,” Tlaib said.
