A defaced statue of George Washington at George Washington University in Washington, D.C., was seen covered on Wednesday after police cleared an anti-Israel encampment and arrested dozens of protesters.
For nearly two weeks, the statue was covered in Palestinian iconography, including multiple flags, a keffiyeh, and stickers that read: 'Free Palestine' and 'Free Gaza.' The words 'Genocidal Warmonger University' were spray-painted at the base.
George Washington University spokesperson Josh Grossman stated that the school planned to engage professionals to restore the statue when they are ready to proceed.
GWU, like other universities nationwide, has been the site of formidable anti-Israel protests, with demonstrators setting up an encampment on school grounds and calling for administrators to cut all ties with Israel over its war in Gaza.
Last week, several Republican members of the House oversight panel toured the campus and criticized D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and D.C. police for not intervening at the university's request. Mayor Bowser explained that city officials and police did not intervene as there was no violence for officers to interrupt.
Bowser, a Democrat, and Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith were scheduled to testify before the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability to discuss their handling of the protest. However, the hearing was canceled after police cleared the tent encampment at GWU, making 33 arrests, including for assault on a police officer and unlawful entry.
