Police Clear Uw Building After Pro-palestinian Demonstration

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied nan University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building connected Monday, May 5, calling for nan assemblage to sever ties pinch Boeing complete its subject contracts. The protest, led by nan suspended student group Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), began astir 5 p.m.

Protests included roadworthy blockades, dumpster fires and banners hung from upper-floor windows. Demonstrators renamed it nan Shaban al-Dalou Building, successful grant of a Palestinian engineering student reportedly killed successful Gaza.

What domiciled does Boeing play successful nan controversy?

According to nan university, Boeing donated $10 million to conception nan $105 cardinal engineering facility successful 2022. Protesters alleged nan aerospace company’s ties to nan Israeli subject person contributed to nan conflict successful Gaza. Boeing has not issued a nationalist connection connected nan protest.

How did rule enforcement respond to nan building takeover?

Officers from field police, Seattle constabulary and nan Washington State Patrol entered nan building astir 11 p.m. to region nan demonstrators. Authorities arrested astir 30 individuals wrong and look trespassing, spot destruction, disorderly behaviour and conspiracy charges.

Were immoderate information measures taken during nan protest?

Demonstrators reportedly stacked furnishings to artifact entryways and ignited fires successful 2 dumpsters extracurricular nan building. Firefighters responded to extinguish nan flames. The assemblage said everyone who did not wish to stay wrong had exited earlier arrests began.

What is nan university’s position connected nan protest?

University spokesperson Victor Balta described nan demonstrators’ actions arsenic unlawful and branded nan student group’s online statements antisemitic.

“The University will not beryllium intimidated by this benignant of violative and destructive behaviour and will proceed to reason antisemitism successful each its forms,” Balta said in a connection to CNN.

AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

The assemblage had antecedently seen pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including an encampment successful 2024 and a march successful February 2025 against Boeing’s domiciled connected campus.

What are protesters demanding from nan university?

SUPER UW has published a manifesto demanding that nan University of Washington trim ties pinch Boeing and criticizing nan company’s defense involvement.

The assemblage emphasized that SUPER UW is presently a suspended organization.