Around 30 protesters were arrested at the University of Washington after breaking into an engineering building to demand the university sever ties with Boeing over its military contracts linked to the Israel Defense Force. The protest, organized by the group “Super UW,” involved blocking access to the building and setting two dumpsters on fire. While the protest began at 5 p.m., Washington State Patrol intervened around 11 p.m., resulting in arrests for trespassing and property destruction. The university condemned the illegal occupation, reaffirming its commitment to a safe learning environment and opposing all forms of antisemitism.
Demonstrators were calling on the university to sever its connections with Boeing due to its military contracts and association with the Israel Defense Forces.
SEATTLE — Approximately 30 demonstrators were taken into custody after they broke into an engineering facility at the University of Washington on Monday night.
The group “Super UW” stated in an online post that their presence was to advocate for Palestine. They are demanding that the university cut its ties with Boeing because of the company’s military defense contracts, particularly those that support the Israel Defense Forces.
The demonstrators occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, which had previously received a $10 million contribution from Boeing. UW acknowledged that they obstructed access to two streets outside the building, blocked entrances and exits, set two dumpsters ablaze on a nearby street, and caused damage within the facility.
A KING 5 crew on the scene reported seeing a dumpster fire nearby. Firefighters were present to extinguish the fire around 10:30 p.m.
The protest commenced at approximately 5 p.m. Protesters stacked furniture at entryways to complicate access, although all individuals connected to UW who wished to leave the building were able to do so, according to police.
Officers from the Washington State Patrol entered the building around 11 p.m.
About 30 demonstrators were arrested on suspicion of trespassing, property damage, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit these offenses. Charges have been forwarded to the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Any students identified as participating will be referred to the Student Conduct Office, a representative from the university stated.
The final arrests occurred around 2 a.m., with the last protesters leaving the scene around 3 a.m., as reported by a KING 5 crew.
UW released a statement regarding the protest, stating:
“The UW is dedicated to ensuring a secure learning and research environment and strongly condemns this unlawful occupation of the building as well as the antisemitic statements made by a suspended student group on Monday. The university will not be intimidated by such offensive and destructive actions and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms.”