House hearing on George Washington University protest canceled after police clear out encampment and arrest dozens

The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, arrested dozens of people Wednesday after a skirmish between officers and a group that law enforcement had cleared from a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus Wednesday, a police source told CNN.

The Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, DC, arrested dozens of people Wednesday after a skirmish between officers and a group that law enforcement had cleared from a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus Wednesday, a police source told CNN. The action took place hours before Washington Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metro Police Chief Pamela A. Smith were set to testify before Congress on the response to the encampment. After police cleared the encampment, House Oversight Chair James Comer announced Wednesday morning the hearing was canceled. “I am pleased that the potential Oversight hearing led to swift action by Mayor Bowser and MPD Chief Smith. We will continue to hold DC officials accountable to ensure our nation’s capital is safe for all,” Comer said in a statement. Police said in a statement they had “worked to pursue non-arrest methods to deescalate tensions” to protect students and the GW campus, but there has been a “gradual escalation in the volatility of the protest.” Police said the arrests were for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry. “Therefore, this morning, working closely with the GW administration and police, MPD moved to disperse the demonstrators from the GW campus and surrounding streets,” police said.