In the early hours of Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, DC, cleared out a pro-Palestinian encampment on George Washington University's campus. Metro Police Chief Pamela A. Smith confirmed that 30 protesters were arrested at the encampment, with three additional individuals being arrested in a separate altercation.

The clearance of the encampment came just hours before Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Chief Smith were scheduled to testify at Congress for the House Oversight Committee regarding the response to the ongoing encampment. However, shortly after the police operation, House Oversight Chair James Comer, a Republican from Kentucky, announced the cancellation of the hearing and took credit for prompting the swift action.

This pro-Palestinian encampment at GW University is one of several unauthorized camps that have been set up on campuses across the country, as demonstrators rally against Israel's war in Gaza and US support for the country. Since mid-April, police have made over 2,000 arrests on US campuses, igniting heated debates about the right to protest, limits of free speech, and accusations of antisemitism.

The GW encampment, situated in the University Yard, had been in place for approximately two weeks. It had expanded to include tents on a neighboring public street after protesters removed metal barriers erected around the initial encampment.

The encampment drew criticism from GW President Ellen Granberg, who deemed it "unauthorized" and disruptive to normal academic activities, raising safety concerns. The MPD released a statement, stating that they had attempted to deescalate tensions using non-arrest methods to protect students and the campus. However, they observed a gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.

Metro Police Chief Smith highlighted signs of increased volatility, including an assault reported to GW Police, the presence of "covert" counter-protesters, students from other universities joining the encampment, and the gathering of items that could potentially be used as weapons. Protesters were given six warnings to disperse, and many complied.

During the clearance operation, pepper spray was deployed by officers during a skirmish at a nearby intersection. MPD Executive Assistant Chief Jeffery Carroll confirmed that pepper spray was used three times as some protesters attempted to push past officers to reach those who had been arrested.

GW University was informed of the police action when GW Police Department's chief received a call from MPD at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Ahmed El Masry, a protestor at the encampment, described the scene upon his return at 4 a.m., stating that he found numerous police cars and that it resembled a "warzone."

The arrests at GW University were made on charges of assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. Similar incidents occurred at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) in New York City and the University of Massachusetts-Amherst, resulting in more arrests.

At FIT, 50 individuals were arrested after a sizable crowd gathered during a pro-Palestinian protest. The university issued a deadline for the removal of the encampment, which was later extended. Despite efforts to control the situation, some students insisted on continuing the occupation, leading to further NYPD action.

At UMass-Amherst, the chancellor requested that law enforcement dismantle an encampment, resulting in arrests as well. The exact number of those arrested is currently unknown.

As the clashes and arrests continue to unfold on campuses across the country, the debate surrounding protests, free speech, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict intensifies.