UW condemns protesters for ‘dangerous environment,’ ‘antisemitic statement’
Pro-Palestinian activists at the University of Washington took over a building Monday to demand that the school cut ties with Boeing.
Masked protesters blocked off the building and set fires in the street before campus police arrested 30 of them.
Students occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, which is funded by Boeing, as announced by a suspended activist student group in an Instagram post encouraging others to join the protest.
“The University of Washington is a direct partner in the genocide of the Palestinian people through its allegiance to its partnership with Boeing,” Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return wrote.
“RALLY NOW outside the IEB to take action with these students, alongside the people of Palestine and their brave resistance. Wear a mask, and cover [identifiable] features,” the group wrote.
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It also called on the school to “cut ties with Boeing” and “repurpose the IEB … into a Building the Supports Education for the People.”
In another statement posted on Medium Monday, the group stated that “Boeing manufactures the F-15 fighter jets, Apache helicopters, Hellfire missiles, and 500 pound bombs which israel uses to murder entire Palestinian families and destroy Palestinian homes, schools, hospitals, and mosques.”
Following the incident, UW spokesperson Victor Balta wrote in a statement that the protesters “created a dangerous environment in and around the building.”
As multiple law enforcement agencies gathered to address the situation, masked individuals obstructed two streets near the building, blocked its entrances and exits, and set fires in two dumpsters, Balta wrote.
UW Police started to clear the area outside the building around 10:30 p.m. and entered the building at 11 p.m. to end the occupation.
“About 30 individuals who occupied the building were arrested and charges of trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit all three, will be referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office,” Balta wrote.
In a video posted on X by pro-Israel activist Eyal Yakoby, protesters can be heard chanting “Death to the police!”
BREAKING: Pro-Palestinians at the University of Washington have taken over a building.
The extremists chant: “Death to the police! Every police death is a victory for the resistance!” This is 21st century America as a result of pro-Palestinians.
— Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) May 6, 2025
Balta also condemned “the antisemitic statement that was issued by [the] suspended student group.”
UW had already suspended SUPER “until June 13 for last year’s sit-in at a university building,” The Seattle Times reported.
Still, the group organized two protests in February, where over 100 people gathered on campus in support of the Palestinian movement, The College Fix previously reported.
Meanwhile, the University of Washington recently reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the Jewish community in response to a warning letter from the Trump administration.
MORE: Swarthmore College clears out anti-Israel encampment, 9 arrested
IMAGE CAPTION AND CREDIT: Police stand in from of burning dumpster after protesters set fires; CBS19/Youtube
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