Democratic Reps. Cori Bush And Rashida Tlaib Speak Alongside Student Protesters

Congresswomen Cori Bush (D-Mo.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) joined George Washington University student protestors for a press conference on Wednesday, less than a day after cleared pro-Palestine demonstrators’ encampment from the school grounds.

During the press conference outside the U.S. Capitol, Bush and Tlaib condemned the dismissive response that members of Congress have had towards the national mobilization of pro-Palestine student protestors over the past several weeks.

“It is incredibly disturbing that my colleagues are so quick to denounce the student protestors, but are silent about … why they are protesting,” Tlaib said.

Over the past several weeks, students at universities across the country have held demonstrations and set up encampments on their school grounds to protest Israel’s ongoing attacks on Gaza, which have killed more than 35,000 people so far.

While student demands vary by campuses across the U.S., most are demanding that their colleges denounce the Israeli offensive as a genocide against Palestinians, increase transparency around financial and academic ties to Israel and divest from companies linked to Israel.

“We will not stop in defending these students until [there is an] end in regards to the genocide, … [and] until there is an immediate and permanent ceasefire that includes complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza,” Tlaib said. “We’re proud to use our positions in office to bring these voices, so you all don’t forget why they’re encampments, why there are movements and dissent around this country.”

Some protestors have successfully been able to reach agreements with their colleges, such as at Northwestern University, Brown Universityand University of Minnesota. But many others