Students at eight universities joined together to set up encampments at George Washington University to protest the war in Gaza and demand their universities divest from Israel. The DC, Maryland, and Virginia Coalition of Students for Justice in Palestine criticized the United States government and universities for failing to take action to end the genocide in Gaza. The coalition’s demands include divesting from any business that aids the ongoing genocide of Palestinians, protecting speech in support of Palestine, dropping charges against pro-Palestine student organizers, and ending academic partnerships with Zionist institutions. George Washington University officials called for the removal of encampments due to safety concerns and disruptions to learning, giving students until 7 p.m. to move their tents off campus.
In addition to the protests at George Washington University, 15 protesters opposing the war in Gaza and the “Cop City” police training center were arrested at Emory University in Atlanta. These protests are part of a larger movement of students across the nation demonstrating against the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 34,000 people. Students at Harvard, Columbia, New York University, Yale University, California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, the University of Minnesota, and Ohio State University have also set up encampments and faced arrests in recent weeks. These protests highlight the growing concern and activism among university students regarding the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the role of universities in supporting or divesting from Israel.
The university officials at George Washington University cited safety concerns, disruptions to learning, and violations of university policies as reasons for calling for the removal of the encampments. The students’ protest actions, including occupying campus grounds, establishing outdoor encampments, and blocking access to buildings, were deemed inconsistent with the university’s mission, values, and commitment to providing a safe environment for all students and employees. Despite the university’s response, the students involved in the protests have continued to push for their demands to divest from Israel, protect speech in support of Palestine, drop charges against activists, and end academic partnerships with Zionist institutions.
The DC, Maryland, and Virginia Coalition of Students for Justice in Palestine have been met with repression and silencing of pro-Palestine student organizers and their organizations in their efforts to pressure universities to divest from Israel. The coalition’s demands reflect a broader movement among students across the nation to hold universities accountable for their relationships with entities supporting the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The protests at George Washington University and other universities demonstrate the growing activism and mobilization of students in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the role of academic institutions in either perpetuating or challenging systemic injustices.
The protests at George Washington University and Emory University are part of a larger wave of student activism calling for an end to the violence in Gaza and for universities to divest from Israel. The arrests and responses from university officials indicate the tense and contentious nature of these protests, with students facing consequences for their actions in challenging the status quo. The coordinated efforts of students at multiple universities highlight a collective push for change and accountability in response to the ongoing crisis in Gaza, reflecting a broader movement for social justice and solidarity with the Palestinian people.
The protests and demands made by students at George Washington University and other universities reflect a growing awareness and activism around issues of social justice and human rights, particularly in response to the conflict in Gaza. The calls for divestment from Israel, protection of speech in support of Palestine, and an end to academic partnerships with Zionist institutions signal a shift in consciousness and action among university students. The responses from university officials, law enforcement, and the media to these protests underscore the challenges and risks faced by student activists as they seek to challenge systems of power and advocate for justice and accountability in the face of global injustices.
