Anti-ICE Walkout Organizers Allegedly Violate GWU Housing Policy

Juliet Procope, DE - Writer & Director of Marketing

Protesters during the walkout in front of Kogan Plaza. Photo credit: Juliet Procope.​

On Tuesday, Jan. 20th, GWU students walked out of classes to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the Trump administration, following reports that participation had been actively solicited in residence halls the day prior. The walkout disrupted afternoon class as students gathered in front of Kogan Plaza at 4:45 p.m. By approximately 5:05 p.m., police had blocked off H Street, where at least 50 participants assembled.

Messaging at the protest varied widely and lacked a clearly defined goal. One sign held by a participant read, “Abolish borders, abolish prisons, abolish ICE,” showing the lack of focus and expansive, outlandish nature of the protest’s demands. The left is quick to make these claims in opposition to the Trump administration, but fails to think of the consequences of their demands. How would public safety, criminal justice, the pockets of taxpayers, or immigration enforcement function or be affected in the absence of those systems the left are seeking to abolish?

Beyond its messaging, the protest also raised concerns about how participation was gained in the days leading up to the walkout.

According to a Dakota Hall resident who requested anonymity, two women knocked on their door around 4:45 p.m. the day before the walkout to “encourage” participation. However, what was intended to garner support instead came across as coercive and guilt-inducing.

“The individuals who knocked on my door were very discreet about the handouts they were carrying,” the student said. “I was clear that I support our men and women in law enforcement, and I was surprised when they did not initially clarify that they were students. I am fine with conversation, but they should have been upfront rather than discreet about their purpose.”

The student described the interaction as uncomfortable, adding that they found it inappropriate to encourage students to skip class during the school day while also trying to shame students into attending.

“It was a strange interaction overall,” the student said. “This walkout will not change the administration’s mind, and it was distracting to other students.”

The GW Housing License Agreement restricts solicitation and organized activity within residence halls. Under section 21 of the Housing License Agreement, students may not use residential facilities for advertising or solicitation without authorization. Alternatively, the Code of Student Conduct broadly prohibits disruptive conduct that interferes with the day-to-day lives of other students, especially within university-owned buildings. 

According to one student account, door-to-door outreach related to the walkout occurred in a residence hall, raising questions about whether the activity complied with university housing policy and student conduct rules.

As of the evening of Jan. 20th, the George Washington University’s administration has not issued a public statement regarding the walkout.

The walkout ultimately revealed a protest defined by disorder rather than purpose. While organizers opposed ICE, the Trump administration, and even the existence of borders and prisons, they failed to articulate a clear, achievable objective tied to the university. More concerning, at least one student reported being solicited directly inside a residence hall—an action that violates GW housing policy, which explicitly prohibits unauthorized solicitation and organized activity within residential facilities. For students who experienced this firsthand, the protest was not a persuasive call for change but an intrusive effort that disregarded university policy and pressured peers to participate. In the end, the demonstration appeared less focused on constructive outcomes and more on disruption for its own sake.