Excerpt from DC News Now
As a pro-Palestine protest and encampment enters week two at George Washington University’s campus, the impact of several mass demonstrations more than two decades ago can still be felt.
“There were protests in Washington against the IMF and World Bank, against the austerity measures they imposed on people around the world and a lot of people came together in Washington for several days of peaceful protest,” explained Mara Verheyden-Hilliard, with the Partnership for Civil Justice Fund.
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“They engaged in what we call ‘trap and detain’ where they circle people who are lawfully gathered and will not let them leave, they loaded them into the buses,” explained Verheyden-Hilliard. “They actually hogtied people in stress and duress positions for more than 24 hours.”
After years of litigation the lawsuit was settled in 2010 to the tune of $13.7 million.
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“That law set the stage and tone for I think what we’re seeing today with the GW protesters,” said Verheyden-Hilliard.
She admits the law hasn’t been followed perfectly as protesters were met with brutality in 2020 while demonstrating against racism in policing. But, Verheyden-Hilliard said it has helped protect the rights of protesters.