Three members of Congress have criticized D.C. leaders for their response toward pro-Palestinian protests at George Washington University’s campus as those demonstrations enter a seventh day.
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Republican lawmakers criticize DC police’s lack of force as GW protests enter 7th day
Some Republican members of Congress are criticizing D.C. leaders for their response toward pro-Palestinian protests at George Washington University’s campus as those demonstrations continue for a seventh day.
In one letter addressed to D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. police Chief Pamela Smith, North Carolina Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and Kentucky Congressman James Comer wrote they were “alarmed” by the Metropolitan Police Department refusing to respond to the demonstrations at the Foggy Bottom campus. They wrote city leaders must fully enforce the law.
“It is deeply disturbing that while GWU has attempted to take concrete measures to protect the safety of its Jewish student body from persecution and harassment, it is hindered by the MPD’s refusal to provide assistance clearing out the encampment, over fears of public criticism,” the letter said.
Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Bowser addressed the Republicans lawmakers’ criticism.
“The members have universities in their own districts, especially the member from North Carolina,” Bowser said, seemingly referencing the protests in the southern state.
Bowser added, “I was watching a lot of activity in North Carolina, it would seem that her energy would be best placed there.”
George Washington University had reportedly requested D.C. police assistance to clear out the student protesters’ encampment, but according to reporting by The Washington Post, police officials rejected the request on Friday.
When asked about whether D.C. officials turned down requests for help from the university Bowser said: “I haven’t ever turned down requests for help. We support all of our employers, all of our universities and our police.”
Bowser added that she wouldn’t comment about “particulars” of private meetings.
“We are in constant communication with GW officials and have been throughout to be supportive, to hear their concerns and for them to understand how to work directly with the District government,” Bowser said.
The House Oversight Committee is scheduled to hold a hearing next Wednesday about the city’s response to the protests. Bowser was invited to attend that meeting.
“I understand that a notice went out as I was standing here and I will review that and the city will definitely have a response,” Bowser said Wednesday, when asked whether she would attend the hearing.
What’s happening on GW’s campus?
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
(WTOP/Grace Newton)
WTOP/Grace Newton
A group of Republican lawmakers is expected to walkthrough the encampment on Wednesday afternoon following a meeting with school officials, the student newspaper, the GW Hatchet reported. Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-Ky.), Reps. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.), Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.), Byron Donalds (R-Fla), Eric Burlison (R-Mo.) are expected to tour.
WTOP’s Grace Newton reported early Wednesday that police are still stationed around the 100 tents left on GWU’s University Yard. D.C. police officers are still monitoring the protest and blocking off the section of H Street in front of the yard, seemingly in the same position as when demonstrations began a week ago.
In their letter, Foxx and Comer said police departments in other cities have cleared out encampments on college campuses.
“If the District of Columbia and MPD refuse to exercise their authority to assist GWU in securing the safety of its students and faculty, Congress will be obliged to exercise its legislative powers to do so,” Foxx and Comer wrote in their letter. “In the event you do not [answer fully for the reluctance to enforce the law], Congress will take the necessary actions to ensure this failure will not be repeated.”
In a separate letter to Bowser, Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton wrote of his disapproval in MPD’s refusal to arrest protesters out of “fear” of the public perception of the police in the media.
Newton reports that a student group, GW for Israel, has launched a petition urging the mayor to remove “violent and antisemitic agitators” from the campus.
Police officers carrying zip ties and riot shields stormed a Columbia University building being occupied by pro-Palestinian protesters, arresting dozens of people just after midnight on Wednesday after weekslong protests on the campus escalated the day before. Fighting also broke out between pro-Palestinian and pro-Israeli demonstrators at UCLA Wednesday and police wearing helmets and face shields had to separate the two groups.
WTOP’s Grace Newton contributed to this report from George Washington University’s campus. WTOP’s Emily Venezky and Jessica Kronzer contributed to this report.
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