Students continue pro-Palestine encampment in US capital for 5th day

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - Pro-Palestine students continued their encampment at George Washington University (GW) campus for a fifth day in the heart of the US capital on Monday, as protests have intensified at campuses throughout the country.

Several students told Anadolu that they will not leave the encampment until their demands are met, including a call on the university administration to immediately divest from Israeli companies.

Barricades around the encampment, which was erected by police in early Friday, were removed by student protestors after police attempted to arrest one protestor, the students said.

According to school officials quoted by ABC 7 News, the student was "not being arrested and that an officer was escorting them out after reportedly jumping over a barrier."

The encampment include protestors from other schools in Washington, Maryland and Virginia, as well as students from Georgetown.

Several US media outlets quoted a statement from GW’s Executive Director of Media Relations and University Spokesman Josh Grossman, saying that some protestors “breached and dismantled the barriers used to secure GW’s University Yard.”

"This is an egregious violation of community trust and goes far beyond the boundaries of free expression and the right to protest," the statement said.

Protests are sweeping college campuses nationwide following a police attempt to clear a pro-Palestine encampment at Columbia University, resulting in the arrest of over 100 students.

Columbia University asked students on Monday to "voluntarily disperse" amid stalled talks, threatening the students with suspension.

Students in several other countries including Canada, Australia, France, and Egypt, have organized demonstrations at their universities in solidarity with Palestine.