Two progressive ‘Squad’ members invited pro-Palestinian protesters from George Washington University to speak at the Capitol and condemned DC police for ‘attacking’ them while clearing their student camp.
After occupying the George Washington University (GWU) school lawn for weeks, pro-Palestinian protesters were released from their solidarity camp in Gaza early Wednesday morning.
The “Squad” lawmakers praised the student protesters for “going through a lot” in standing up for Gaza and condemned DC police for clearing the encampment.
They praised the student demonstrators for opposing the “genocide in Gaza” and for refuting defamatory claims that the students are anti-Semitic.
However, the protesters at the encampment blatantly called for Israel’s destruction, including chanting “from the river to the sea” and “Intifada revolution.”
One protester at the GWU even held a sign advocating for Adolf Hitler’s final solution, his plan to murder all Jewish individuals worldwide.
Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo., (center) is joined by her fellow progressive “Squad” member, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., (center right) and George Washington University students who helped organize the school’s “Gaza Solidarity.” Encampment” at a news conference Wednesday
Both progressive ‘Squad’ members 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 attacked, pepper-sprayed and arrested non-violent student protesters in the middle of the night,” said Rep. Cori Bush, D-Mo ., furious at the press event.
“All this is happening because those who refuse to stop the ongoing genocide in Gaza think they can arrest and force their way out of this situation.”
“They think they can intimidate and erase the overwhelming voices for peace and justice,” Bush continued.
Bush and her fellow progressive ‘Squad’ member, Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., hosted the event with GWU students facilitating the encampment.
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 the policies of our university,” 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 university grounds
Finally heeding the Granberg’s pleas, D.C. police arrested at least 33 students at the camp around 4 a.m. Wednesday morning after they rejected the university’s demands to leave.
According to D.C. Police Chief Pamela A. Smith, law enforcement said last week “began to see an escalation in the volatility of the protests,” leading to the camp’s evacuation on Wednesday.
However, despite local police’s explanation for the raid, lawmakers were angry that students were being kicked out.
“I want all Democrats and Republicans to know that they cannot buy their way out of these growing dissidents,” Tlaib said Wednesday. “These students’ First Amendment rights terminate them if they enter campus grounds.”
“It is outrageous that police are now entering college campuses across our country with their guns drawn and attacking students with pepper spray, tear gas, rubber bullets and tasters,” she said.
She then declared “shame” as members of the crowd joined her in the singing.
GWU student protesters had occupied one of the school’s lawns for weeks
Several Jewish university students told DailyMail.com in recent weeks that they felt scared as a result of the anti-Israel demonstrations and that activists sometimes seemed more “pro-Hamas” than pro-Palestinian.
“I thought it was so incredible to see these different communities from different backgrounds coming together in the sense of fighting against oppression against anyone, no matter who they are,” Tlaib said.
