GWU student protestors still dissatisfied after meeting with school president

WASHINGTON (7News) — Student protestors at George Washington University (GWU) met with university president Ellen Granberg on Friday, for the first time since demonstrations began on campus two weeks ago, but they said they were still not satisfied and will likely continue their rallies.

What started as encampments on University Yard weeks ago evolved into a protest in front of the university president's office Thursday night.

Early Wednesday morning, MPD officers cleared the University Yard encampment, only for protestors to set up tents in front of the university building Thursday night before police once again cleared them out. The University Yard clear-out led to 33 arrests - most of whom were not students at GW - while Thursday night saw only one arrest long after the protest had emptied.

READ MORE | 33 arrests made after DC police clear out pro-Palestine encampment at GWU's campus

On Friday evening, leaders of the pro-Palestinian protest met with Granberg to discuss their demands, chief among them the school's divestment from pro-Israeli businesses.

"We were finally able to have a discussion with the president, something that has taken far too long," said Robert Valentine during a press conference shortly after the meeting. "We were able to discuss and set on the table our demands, and make sure they understood we are less interested in casual dialogue and general condolences that have been expressed by institutions. We are interested in material change. That is something that Granberg and the rest of the administration have been unable to provide us a commitment for, even today."

Shortly after the conclusion of Friday's meeting, the university posted the following statement, confirming they do not plan on divestment:

Today, GW President Ellen Granberg, Chief Financial Officer Bruno Fernandes, and Vice Provost for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Colette Coleman had a conversation with representatives from seven Arab, Muslim, and Palestinian student organizations. The students used the meeting to share their personal stories and perspectives and outline their requests to the university. University leaders used this space to listen and open lines of dialogue with students while reiterating their commitment to ensuring safety and free expression at GW for all student communities. They also explained that the university is not considering changes to its endowment investment strategy, academic partnerships, or established SRR processes.

"Today, we finally started the conversation. It was not sufficient, and it will not be until we achieve all of our demands," Valentine said.

As of the time of publication, no other protests have erupted on campus.

At the press conference, 7News On Your Side asked the students if they would be willing to compromise on their demands.

"We have always expressed a willingness to find an amenable solution towards the broader community of the university and the students, but we also understand that is not doable within the current conditions of violence against Palestinian students on this campus," Valentine said. "We understand that issues like divestment and other financial issues are not things that happen instantaneously, but the university has presented no willingness to commit to any form of material action on those areas."

7News followed up by asking why the students should expect the university to compromise on their end after they had repeatedly stated the protests violated school rules and policy.

"Ultimately, they can make claims about the justifiability of the actions that were done, but we leave that to always acknowledge that history will forever vindicate the student movements that stand against the violence, death, destruction," Valentine said.

READ MORE | GW University parents, students demand leadership resignations after police clear protest

The protestors said they will continue meeting with university leaders virtually throughout the summer when most students will be home and off-campus.

Over the past two weeks, 7News On Your Side has spoken with students not involved in the protests.

Some of those students have said these demonstrations have taken a mental toll on them, especially with these protests taking place during final exams.

"I think that there was a lot of tension between students, between the students in the administration, the students in the city. And I just don't think that like, again, I don't think that it allowed a good environment, a comfortable environment for us to kind of do the best we can," said GW freshman Benjamin Shapiro, who is a Jewish student.

7News asked the protestors for their response to students who said they have caused mental anguish.

READ MORE | Protestors, city leaders react to GW University encampment arrests

"I, myself, am a Palestinian. I have lost [family members] of mine in Gaza. When discussing the mental toll, there are no words that are strong enough to describe the mental destruction, the mental-emotional toll that has been inflicted upon me," said Moataz Salim.

Valentine added: "I have yet to hear about that, but would be more than happy to talk with those students."

In the meantime, students said they will continue gathering until the school changes its stance.

"None of us will ever be stopping until we achieve these demands," Valentine said. "For the first time, we have had the president of our university express that there is an understanding of a collective sense of sorrow around what is happening in Palestine. That's a start, but it's a start around some form of concern for humanity that they have not expressed previously."

The protestors said their next meeting with school leaders will be Sunday, though no time has been set.