A group of students at a Washington DC university have sparked outrage after projecting messages praising Hamas terrorists on their campus library.
Four students at George Washington University in the US capital projected messages that read "Glory to our martyrs", "Divestment from Zionist genocide now" and "Free Palestine from the river to the sea".
The group of students projected them onto the University's Gelman Library on GWU’s Washington DC campus on Tuesday evening.
Calls have now been made for the university to immediately expel the students involved.
In an X/Twitter post showing the projected messages, the group StopAntisemitism said: “We call on the President of George Washington University to immediately expel those involved.”
The group later posted a video allegedly to show campus police confronting the group of students who made the projections.
George Washington University - students are projecting horrifying messages onto a school library building glorifying Hamas terrorists that beheaded babies, raped teenage girls, and murdered 1400+ people.
— StopAntisemitism (@StopAntisemites) October 25, 2023
We call on President @PresidentofGW to immediately expel those involved.… pic.twitter.com/tecz0R7zF2
In the video, one of the students is heard telling an officer: “We're not damaging any property, it's not physically on the side of the wall.”
"We're not going to sit here and argue," the officer responded. "You've been out here for an hour."
Utah Republican Senator Mike Lee condemned the actions of the students, saying: “These are genocidal messages displayed on a building at George Washington University.
“If the students responsible for these messages aren't severely punished by GWU, something is terribly wrong.
“Genocide isn't hip, cute, or in any way acceptable. GWU—do the right thing NOW.”
It comes after GWU president Ellen Granberg said the school would offer support to people affected by Hamas’ terror attack on Israel.
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Ellen Granberg, president of George Washington University (Photo: GWU)
Granberg also highlighted the importance of "coming together and caring for one another".
In a letter to students, she wrote: "My message to our community stressed the importance of coming together and caring for one another, especially those who are Israeli, Jewish, Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, or connected to the region and this war," Granberg added. "I also reiterated our university’s expectations for acting and comporting ourselves when discussing or debating difficult topics.
“These messages of compassion and understanding remain the foremost priority for this university."
A university spokesperson said of the incident: “On Tuesday evening, the university became aware of several unauthorised projections on a campus building.
“The projections on the university’s library violated university policy, and leadership intervened to ensure that these projections were removed. The statements made by these individuals in no way reflect the views of the university.
“We are reviewing this incident and will take any appropriate steps with respect to the individuals involved in accordance with university policies.
“We recognise the distress, hurt, and pain this has caused for many members of our community. The university will continue to communicate with all members of its community about the support resources available during this difficult time.
“President Granberg will be communicating directly with the university community on this matter.”
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