A group of George Washington University students projected giant anti-Semitic pro-Hamas messages on a library less than a mile from the White House.
Photos published online from the watchdog group StopAntisemitism display messages including “Glory to Our Martyrs” and “Disinvest Now from Zionist Genocide” projected on the side of the Gelman Library for about two hours.
The messages, in giant letters, also included “Free Palestine from the river to the sea,” a Hamas rallying cry widely interpreted as a call for the annihilation of Israel.
Others read: “GW, the blood of the Palestinians is on your hands” and “Your tuition is funding the genocide in Gaza,” as well as one accusing university president Ellen Granberg of being “complicit in the genocide in Loop”.
Campus police eventually ticketed four students who were sitting outside the library with projection equipment. according to the video published in X.
“There is a time and a place for it,” the officer tells them.
Just then, a student wearing a black mask begins arguing with the officer, claiming that he and his friends are not violating any student policies or laws.
George Washington University students displayed pro-Hamas messages in a library Tuesday night. One of the messages displayed in the Gelman Library read “Glory to our martyrs.” X / @StopAntisemites Another said “Free Palestine from the river to the sea”, a battle cry interpreted as a call for the annihilation of Israel.
“We’re not damaging any property,” the unidentified student says. “It’s not physically next to the wall.”
But the officer calmly tells the students that he is not going to argue with them, noting that they had been lounging for about an hour in front of the library, which is several blocks west of the White House.
It also says that Dean of Students Colette Coleman advised university officials to stop the demonstration, which began around 8 p.m. and ended at 10 p.m., according to campus newspaper GW Hatchet.
The official explains that the university’s private status means school officials can prevent the group from displaying messages in the library, whose eponyms (Melvin and Estelle Gelman) were prominent figures in the D.C. Jewish community.
A video posted online showed a police officer speaking to the students responsible for the display.X / @StopAntisemites
Members of Students for Justice in Palestine then collected their belongings, the student newspaper reports.
As they left, a student activist told the crowd that had gathered to witness the confrontation that the university had not taken action against student demonstrations in support of Israel.
“In every Zionist action that has occurred on campus, in every action in which they have explicitly supported the genocide of our people, nothing has happened,” the unidentified student said.
“When we hold vigils in honor of our martyrs, they close them, they send police to terrorize us, they send journalists, they send the administration.
“Remember what’s happening on this campus, see it in real time.”
Meanwhile, other students joined in unison to sing the Israeli national anthem and the Jewish song “Oseh Shalom,” a song for peace.
A student wearing a mask could be seen arguing with the officer.X / @StopAntisemites
StopAntisemitism, the group that shared the photos and videos online, said the president of George Washington University should “immediately expel those involved.”
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah) also called on school officials to “do the right thing NOW.”
“These are genocidal messages displayed in a building at George Washington University.” he tweeted.
“If the students responsible for these messages are not severely punished by GWU, something is terribly wrong,” he said.
“Genocide is not modern, cute or acceptable in any way. GWU, do the right thing now.”
George Washington University is located less than a mile from the White House. UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images
School officials said Wednesday that the statements projected in the library “in no way reflect the views of the university.
“We recognize the anguish, pain and hurt this has caused many members of our community,” they said in a statement. “The university will continue to communicate with all members of its community about the support resources available during this difficult time.”
The statement added that Granberg, the university president, “will communicate directly with the university community about this matter.”
Granberg had previously condemned Hamas for its surprise attack on Israel earlier this month.
“The extent of this brutal violence and staggering loss of innocent life has continued to come to light, and I am horrified and grieved,” she said days after the attack.
“In very clear terms, I condemn these acts of terrorism.”
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Source: vtt.edu.vn