Pro-Palestinian protesters at University of Washington set fires, vandalized equipment worth up to $120,000, and engaged in violent confrontations with police, resulting in 30 arrests during an illegal occupation protesting Boeing’s ties to Israel.
Key Takeaways
- Thirty-one protesters were arrested after violently occupying a University of Washington engineering building, demanding the school cut ties with Boeing and blocking emergency responders.
- Protesters caused significant damage, including to manufacturing machines valued between $35,000 and $120,000, and started fires in dumpsters outside the building.
- The Trump administration has launched a review of anti-Semitic activity at the university, with potential funding cuts threatened if Jewish students are not protected.
- University President Ana Mari Cauce condemned the protest as “dangerous, violent and illegal” while rejecting demands to divest from Boeing, which has donated over $100 million to the university.
- The activist group behind the protest had previously cited Hamas’ attack on Israel as a “heroic victory,” highlighting the radical nature of the organization.
Violent Occupation and Destruction
A mob of anti-Israel agitators violently took over the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington, causing extensive property damage and disrupting campus operations. The protest group, Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return UW (SUPER UW), renamed the building in memory of a Palestinian engineering student allegedly killed in Gaza, while creating dangerous conditions for students and staff. Protesters blocked building entrances, set multiple fires in dumpsters outside, and damaged expensive equipment essential for student education.
“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 protest participant.
This justification rings hollow when faced with the reality of the destruction. The protesters caused significant damage to manufacturing machines valued between $35,000 and $120,000 – equipment paid for by taxpayers and donors to educate American students. Their actions didn’t “repurpose” anything; they destroyed educational resources while preventing legitimate students from accessing their classrooms and learning facilities.
Law Enforcement Response
When negotiations with the violent protesters proved unsuccessful, law enforcement officers, including those in riot gear, were forced to respond to restore order on campus. The confrontation escalated when protesters prepared to resist police, resulting in 31 arrests for multiple offenses including trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy. These cases have been referred to the King County prosecutor’s office, though no felony charges have yet been filed despite the extensive damage.
The protesters displayed tactics commonly associated with organized Antifa operations, blocking entrances to prevent emergency responders from accessing the building and preparing for confrontation with authorities. Their coordinated efforts to resist law enforcement highlight the increasingly militant nature of these campus demonstrations, which have moved far beyond peaceful protest into territory more resembling domestic terrorism.
University and Federal Response
University President Ana Mari Cauce took a strong stance against the protesters, labeling their actions dangerous, violent and illegal. The university administration has maintained its relationship with Boeing despite the demands of protesters, recognizing the aerospace company’s valuable contribution of over $100 million to the institution, including $10 million specifically for the engineering building that was vandalized.
“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 University of Washington spokesperson.
The Trump administration has taken swift action, announcing a comprehensive review of anti-Semitic activity at the university with involvement from federal agencies. The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism praised the university’s immediate response to the violence but urged further actions to ensure safety for Jewish students on campus. The administration has made it clear that universities failing to protect Jewish students could face funding cuts, sending a strong message to institutions nationwide that have allowed anti-Jewish sentiment to flourish under the guise of “pro-Palestinian” activism.
Radical Ideology Behind the Violence
Particularly troubling is the revelation that the activist group behind the protest has previously described Hamas’ October 7th terrorist attack on Israel, which involved the rape, murder, and kidnapping of civilians, as a “heroic victory.” This endorsement of terrorism exposes the true nature of the organization leading these campus demonstrations. The protest coincided with ongoing Israeli military actions in Gaza, but failed to acknowledge the context of Israel defending itself against Hamas, a designated terrorist organization.
“This was an issue of destruction, vandalism and things that are unlawful, especially on a college campus,” said Regina Friedland, regional director of the American Jewish Committee.
The Seattle area has seen multiple Gaza-related protests leading to arrests and charges, indicating a pattern of escalating violence rather than peaceful demonstration. The U.S. Department of Education previously found that the University of Washington did not adequately respond to reports of students feeling unsafe during prior demonstrations, suggesting the institution has allowed this problem to fester until it erupted into the destructive occupation we witnessed this week.
