Pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Washington set fires, vandalized a $120,000 machine, and barricaded entrances in a violent takeover of a Boeing-funded engineering building, leading to 31 arrests as the university stood firm against antisemitism and refused demands to cut ties with the aerospace company.
Key Takeaways
- Thirty-one protesters were arrested after illegally occupying a University of Washington engineering building, demanding the school sever ties with Boeing while causing significant property damage.
- Protesters started fires in dumpsters, damaged manufacturing equipment valued up to $120,000, and blocked building entrances in what university officials condemned as “dangerous, violent and illegal” activity.
- The protest group, Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return UW (SUPER UW), has previously described Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel as a “heroic victory.”
- The Trump administration has launched a federal review of antisemitic activity at the university, warning of potential funding cuts if Jewish students are not adequately protected.
- Despite the protest, the University of Washington has maintained its relationship with Boeing, which has donated over $100 million to the institution, including $10 million for the targeted engineering building.
Destructive Protests Target Boeing’s University Connections
A coordinated attack on University of Washington property erupted when pro-Palestinian demonstrators forcibly occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, a facility partially funded by Boeing’s $10 million donation. The protesters, primarily led by the student group SUPER UW (Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return UW), blockaded entrances and engaged in significant property destruction, including damaging manufacturing equipment valued between $35,000 and $120,000 and setting fires in dumpsters outside the building. Their stated mission was to force the university to cut ties with Boeing due to the company’s business dealings with Israel.
“The intent was to repurpose a building that is meant to make weapons of war to a place that serves the needs of students and workers and staff at the University of Washington,” said Noah Weight, a UW academic student employee and United Auto Workers 4121 union representative who was present during the protest.
University Administration Takes Strong Stand Against Illegal Occupation
University President Ana Mari Cauce condemned the protest in unequivocal terms as dangerous, violent and illegal. After negotiations with the protesters failed, law enforcement officers in riot gear were deployed to restore order to the campus. The confrontation escalated when protesters threw objects at first responders and refused to vacate the premises, forcing police to make 31 arrests on charges including trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy. The cases have been referred to the King County prosecutor’s office for potential criminal charges.
“The University will not be intimidated by this sort of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms,” said Victor Balta spokesperson for the University of Washington.
Federal Response to Campus Antisemitism
The Trump administration has taken swift action in response to the incident, announcing a comprehensive review of antisemitic activity at the University of Washington. This federal task force investigation involves multiple agencies and could potentially result in funding cuts if the university fails to adequately protect Jewish students. The administration’s Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism has praised the university’s immediate response to the protest but urged further actions to ensure campus safety for Jewish students who have reported feeling unwelcome and unsafe during previous demonstrations.
“This was an issue of destruction, vandalism and things that are unlawful, especially on a college campus,” stated Regina Friedland, regional director for the American Jewish Committee.
University Maintains Boeing Partnership Despite Pressure
The University of Washington has firmly rejected protesters’ demands to divest from Boeing, an aerospace giant that has contributed over $100 million to the institution throughout their partnership. While the university has made some concessions to previous protesters, including commitments to scholarships for Palestinian students and ensuring inclusive study abroad programs, administrators have drawn a clear line regarding their relationship with Boeing. This stance comes despite the protest group’s troubling positions, including their characterization of Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel as a “heroic victory” – rhetoric that has intensified concerns about antisemitism on campus.
The Seattle area has experienced multiple Gaza-related protests in recent months, but this incident marks a significant escalation in both tactics and consequences. The U.S. Department of Education previously found that the University of Washington did not adequately respond to reports of students feeling unsafe during demonstrations, creating additional pressure on the administration to take decisive action in this case. With the Trump administration now directly involved in reviewing the situation, the university faces increased scrutiny over its handling of.
