Washington D.C. officials, including Mayor Muriel Bowser and the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), have declined requests from George Washington University (GWU) to clear an anti-Israel encampment on the university campus. The university, which has a significant Jewish student population, has labeled the encampment as unlawful and antisemitic. Despite repeated pleas from GWU's president and pressure from Congress, local authorities have stated they will not intervene unless the protest becomes violent. This stance has drawn criticism from various lawmakers, including Rep. James Comer and Rep. Mike Collins, with some accusing the mayor and police chief of lacking leadership and neglecting the safety of students. GOPoversight and ED Sec. are also involved in addressing the situation.
Mayor Bowser refused to assist GWU in clearing out an unlawful and antisemitic encampment on its campus. @RepJamesComer confirmed that ED Sec. hasn't done a thing to rectify the situation and protect Jewish students. A total lack of leadership from Bowser and ED. https://t.co/5ftys52feC
Why is MPD rejecting GWUโs plea for assistance with the ๐๐ป๐น๐ฎ๐๐ณ๐๐น encampment overtaking campus? Why is Mayor Bowser allowing this to continue to go unaddressed while students are ๐๐๐ณ๐ณ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ถ๐ป๐ด the consequences? Good on @GOPoversight for calling the Mayor in. https://t.co/yAzv4ymikE
George Washington University leadership have requested the D.C. policeโs assistance in clearing out the unlawful, antisemitic mob camping out on the GWU campus, but D.C. officials have refused to help. Now @GOPoversight is here to help & we look forward to the hearing tomorrow. https://t.co/gy2OEDxfq7
Rep. Comer: "This is a huge issue. We've heard from the president of George Washington University. They want those encampments removed and thus far, the mayor and the police chief refuse to do so." https://t.co/9moh6HZLm9
Mayor Muriel Bowser reiterated Monday that District police will not clear out an ongoing anti-Israel protest at George Washington University unless the demonstration becomes violent, rebuffing a plea for help from the school's president and brushing... https://t.co/1wGw0yRWw5
D.C. mayor won't clear camp at George Washington University despite pressure from school, Congress https://t.co/IvyjUVb691
The DC police are refusing to remove @GWtweets protesters who are squatting on campus despite the requests of GW, which has a huge Jewish student population. Unacceptable. I discussed with @marthamaccallum: https://t.co/cxH5BSi96T
DC police refuse request from George Washington U prez to aid clearing of Gaza camp https://t.co/AkzHs61SrF
Q: "GW's president has called for metro police in DC to intervene to dismantle what they've deemed an illegal encampment, and DC police have, so far, refused to respond to that call...Is there any reaction from the White House and what should happen?" KJP: "That's something I'mโฆ https://t.co/IbINZUdA9a