Renewed Pro-Palestine Protests at GWU

Classes have resumed at The George Washington University (GW) amid a resurgence of anti-Israel demonstrations on campus. On Thursday night, the DMV Students for Justice in Palestine, a coalition advocating for pro-Palestine causes, organized a march that culminated outside the residence of university President Ellen Granberg. The protest featured a significant encampment, dubbed the “Liberation Zone,” which at its peak included over 50 tents. In a welcome letter to students, Granberg and university officials highlighted the upcoming Nov. 5 presidential election as a critical moment in U.S. history. Reflecting on last semester's pro-Palestine protests, GW has updated its Plan to Strengthen Our Community, which includes new prohibitions inspired by previous demonstrations. Notably, the university suspended GW Students for Justice in Palestine after members projected antisemitic slogans onto the library last November. Additionally, other anti-Israel student groups, such as Jewish Voice for Peace, faced suspensions and funding revocations ahead of the fall semester. The university's Division for Student Affairs confirmed that GW Students for Justice in Palestine is currently on disciplinary probation, limiting its participation in co-curricular activities. GW's community plan asserts that First Amendment protections do not apply to its students, as it is a private institution, and outlines specific guidelines for free expression that prohibit harassment based on various protected characteristics. The situation has drawn attention from law enforcement, with U.S. Capitol Police reporting the arrest of 248 protesters on Aug. 16 for violations related to crowding and obstruction under D.C. law.