Washington police clear pro-Palestine encampment, arrest dozens

US police have arrested dozens of students after clearing an encampment of pro-Palestinian protesters at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Just before dawn, hundreds of officers entered the campus and used pepper spray to disperse the protesters and clear the encampment, according to GW Hatchet, the university’s independent student-run newspaper.

“Officers gave their third and final warning to demonstrators to move at about 3:30 a.m., saying all who remained in U-Yard and the stretch of H Street in front of the plaza would be arrested,” GW Hatchet wrote.

Between 30 and 40 protesters were arrested, according to CNN.

Citing familiar sources, the newspaper said police charged several protesters with unlawful entry.

Protesters were carrying signs that read, “Free Palestine” and “Hands off Rafah.”