Watan-The University of George Washington Joins Protests Against War on Gaza
The University of George Washington, located in the heart of the American capital, has joined the student protests against the war on Gaza in American universities. This comes after similar protests at universities across the country, including Columbia University, Harvard University, New York University, and the University of Texas at Austin, among others.
The circle of student protests in America is widening, as the protests are in response to the ongoing Israeli aggression and war in Gaza, which the International Court of Justice has ruled Israel has “blatantly” violated the Genocide Convention.
More than 200 students participated in a large march on Thursday, April 25, protesting the Israeli invasion of Gaza and demanding the university withdraw its investments from companies investing in Israel and its military operations.
جامعة جورج واشنطن في قلب العاصمة الأمريكية تنضم إلى الاعتصامات الطلابية في الجامعات الأمريكية المناوئة للحرب على غزة.
pic.twitter.com/CTJSPtNR3p— Wajd Waqfi وجد وقفي (@WajdWaqfi) April 25, 2024
The marches took place just hours after many students from George Washington University joined students from other universities in the capital, including George Washington University (GW) and American University (AU), in a large camp in the square of George Washington University.
University of George Washington and Palestine’s flag
A video monitored by “Watan” showed dozens of students in front of the university building and near a statue of George Washington, carrying Palestinian flags and chanting slogans in support of Gaza. The statue of George Washington appeared blindfolded and holding the Palestinian flag.
The protesters wore kufiyas and chanted “Israel is racist.” Some students sat among the green and gray tents, while others stood along the sidewalk chanting and holding signs.
جامعة جورج واشنطن وهي من جامعات النخبة تنضم الى #تمرد_طلاب_امريكا pic.twitter.com/FXSEjfulqu
— Samar D Jarrah (@SamarDJarrah) April 25, 2024
In support of Gaza
The protest comes a day after American University students organized a strike protesting the war in Gaza, and at the University of Maryland, students staged a sit-in on campus.
NBC reported that pro-Palestinian students and protesters set up a camp at George Washington University in the capital on Thursday morning in support of Gaza, as shown in a video from News4.
More than 30 students sent tents to the university square to call on the university to sever economic and military ties with Israel.
Across the country, pro-Palestinian students are protesting Israel’s war on Hamas amid increasing tensions with university officials.
Last week, student camps and protests, like those at George Washington University, were met with suspensions and arrests among other disciplinary measures.