Chaos at the University of Washington: Pro-Palestinian Protest Ends with Over 30 Arrests

• Pro-Palestinian protest at university
• More than 30 arrested
• Protesters demand end to ties with Boeing

A student protest at the University of Washington (UW) in the United States ended with more than 30 people arrested after pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied a campus building.

The incident occurred Monday afternoon, when activists took over the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building shortly before its scheduled closure at 5:00 p.m., the university confirmed.

“UW police are at the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, which was occupied by several dozen individuals just before the building closed,” the university said in a statement released by ABC News.

The group “Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return” (SUPER UW) claimed responsibility for the occupation, explaining that they aim to pressure the university to cut ties with Boeing.

Tensions Over Boeing Ties and Antisemitism Allegations

About 30 demonstrators were arrested at the University of Washington in Seattle after occupying a campus building as part of a pro-Palestinian protest.

The group Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return demanded that the university sever ties with Boeing…
pic.twitter.com/1Hywgnyxex
— NMás (@nmas) May 6, 2025

According to the protesters, Boeing does business with the Israeli government, including the supply of weapons used in the Gaza offensive.

Images shared on social media showed clashes with police, burning trash bins, and riot officers storming the building.

“UW is committed to maintaining a safe learning and research environment and strongly condemns this illegal building occupation and the antisemitic statement issued Monday by a group of suspended students,” a university spokesperson told Newsweek.

“The university will not be intimidated by this kind of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms,” the statement added.

During the pro-Palestinian protest, participants blocked entrances, set fires in dumpsters, and hung banners from the building’s second floor.

“Individuals with their faces mostly covered blocked access to two streets outside the building, obstructed entrances and exits, and lit fires in two garbage containers,” spokesman Victor Balta told CNN.

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Washington State Patrol officers, along with campus and Seattle police, entered the building and began evacuations around 11:00 p.m.

Balta reported that around 30 people were arrested inside the building and face charges of trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy.

Protesters Demand Tribute to Gaza Victim and Face Possible Sanctions

The detainees could also face disciplinary action for student misconduct if they are enrolled at the university.

The protest also included demands to rename the building in honor of a young engineering student who, according to organizers, died in an airstrike in Gaza.

“UW students are occupying the Boeing-funded Engineering Building on campus to protest the university’s ties with Boeing,” the group posted on social media.

In its statement, the group connected its action to a global student movement supporting Palestine and used rhetoric similar to that of Hamas when referencing the October 7, 2023 attacks.

SUPER UW is a group that has been officially suspended by the university, further escalating tensions with campus authorities.

“Offensive and destructive behavior will not be tolerated,” reiterated Balta.

It is worth noting that a year ago, the same group carried out a prolonged campus occupation that ended after antisemitic graffiti appeared and an agreement was reached with officials.

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SOURCE: EFE / CNN