By ASHRAF KHALIL (Associated Press)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Police used pepper spray to disband a pro-Palestinian tent camp at George Washington University and detained protesters in the early hours of Wednesday. This happened after dozens marched to the school president's home while city officials were getting ready to testify before Congress about the handling of the protest.
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith were called to testify Wednesday afternoon at the Republican-led House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, but the hearing was canceled after the arrests. The mayor said she spoke with Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House panel, on Wednesday morning and “he expressed his interest in making sure the city and the chief can focus on this ongoing operation” and pulled the hearing.
Following the crackdown, Bowser told reporters that she and the police decided to clear the camp due to changing information about increased threats to public safety. “Our response to demonstrations is always rooted in public safety and responsibility,” she said.
Smith said there were signs that “the protest was becoming more volatile and less stable.” Among them were indications that protesters had “gathered improvised weapons” and were “casing” university build