Staff Reports
Republican members of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee are urging District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith to appear at an upcoming hearing concerning the management of pro-Palestinian encampments at George Washington University. This hearing, scheduled for next week, comes as the encampments have persisted for a week, with students voicing opposition to the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Several Republican lawmakers from the committee, including Chairman James Comer, Lauren Boebert, Eric Burlison, and Anna Paulina Luna and Byron Donalds, plan to meet with university officials and tour the campus on the same day as the hearing. Chairman Comer conveyed his concerns about MPD’s refusal to assist GWU in protecting its Jewish student body and removing the “radical, antisemitic and unlawful protestors.” In a previous letter, Rep. Virginia Foxx and Chairman Comer had questioned the MPD’s decision not to dismantle the encampments.
Oversight Republicans to question D.C. officials about response to GWU camps – https://t.co/tgCHSvbxo3
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 1, 2024
In response to the scrutiny, the MPD and the mayor’s office have defended their handling of the situation. An MPD spokesperson emphasized the department’s support for peaceful First Amendment activities in the District of Columbia and clarified that the GWU Police Department leads the response to demonstrations on campus. The MPD spokesperson reiterated that the department continues to monitor the situation, both on and off GWU property, and emphasized that the demonstrations have remained peaceful.
Mayor Bowser also emphasized D.C.’s tradition of hosting peaceful protests and highlighted the city’s experience in managing First Amendment activities. She expressed her support for peaceful demonstrations and assured that the Metropolitan Police Department determines the necessary interventions. However, she made it clear that violence will not be tolerated and pledged to ensure access to streets, parks, and safe conditions.
This news article was published by The Washington Times, LLC.
