D.C. police cracked down early Wednesday on the anti-Israel protest encampment at George Washington University.
D.C. police cracked down early Wednesday on the anti-Israel protest encampment at George Washington University about 12 hours before D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police leaders were set to testify before Congress about their handling of the demonstrations.
Police Chief Pamela Smith said 33 protesters were arrested in the operation that began around 3 a.m. when officers descended on the encampment at GWU’s University Yard. Police gave the pro-Palestinian protesters warnings about dispersing or being arrested on unlawful entry charges.
Authorities said a handful of people were booked on charges of assaulting officers as police teams tried to corral the campers and maintain order at a protest near the intersection of 20th Street and Pennsylvania Avenue NW.
Police said at least three people were hit with pepper spray in response to punches thrown at officers.
