Police clear anti-war stir on DC campus, 33 held

WASHINGTON: Police using pepper spray cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University and arrested demonstrators Wednesday, hours after dozens marched to the home of the school's prez as city officials prepared to appear before Congress on the protest's handling.
District of Columbia mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan police Chief Pamela Smith were called to testify Wednesday at the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, but the hearing was cancelled after the arrests.The mayor said she spoke with Representative James Comer, chairman of the House panel, on Wednesday and "he expressed his interest in making sure the city and the chief can focus on this ongoing operation" and pulled the hearing.
After the crackdown, Bowser told reporters that she and police made the decision to clear the camp based on shifting information about increased threats to public safety. Smith said there were signs "the protest was becoming more volatile." Among them were indications that protesters had "gathered improvised weapons" and were "casing" university buildings with the possible intention of occupying them.
DC police said 33 arrests were made, including for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. George Washington had warned of possible suspensions for continuing the camp on University Yard.
Policeofficers in riot gear also cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at the University of Chicago late Tuesday. Since April 18, more than 2,600 people have been arrested on 50 campuses across the US.
The anti-war movement has spread to other parts of the world too. Protesters built barricades at the University of Amsterdam Wednesday, using desks and railings to block off the canalside entrance in the heart of the city. Police used a bulldozer to knock down barricades at another UvA site on Tuesday and detained 169 people, but said the varsity had not yet asked for similar intervention on Wednesday.