Police Clear GWU Pro-Palestinian Encampment, Prompting Cancellation of Congressional Hearing

The operation occurred at 3:45 a.m. ET, just hours before Washington Mayor Bowser and Police Chief Smith were scheduled to testify before Congress.

Workers carry student tents to a dump truck after police cleared a pro-Palestinian tent encampment at George Washington University early on May 8 and arrested demonstrators in Washington on May 8, 2024. Jose Luis Magana/AP Photo

WASHINGTON—Police cleared the pro-Palestinian encampment at George Washington University (GWU) in the wee hours of the morning on May 8, prompting the cancellation of a congressional hearing about authorities’ handling of the protests.

The operation occurred at 3:45 a.m. ET, just hours before Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) Chief Pamela Smith were scheduled to testify before the House Oversight Committee.