Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy University of Washington building, arrested

A group of pro-Palestinian protesters were on May 5, 2025, arrested after occupying the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle. The demonstration, organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER-UW), aimed to pressure the university to sever ties with Boeing due to its military contracts with Israel.

Acoording to the police approximately 30 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested for taking part in the protest against Israel’s military action in Gaza Strip and adjoining regions at the University of Washington.

Protest details

The protesters entered the building shortly before its 5 pm closing time, barricading entrances with furniture and covering their faces. They renamed the building the "Shaban al-Dalou Building" in honor of a 19-year-old Palestinian reportedly killed during an Israeli airstrike. Outside, demonstrators blocked streets and set dumpsters on fire.


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Arrests and Charges

Campus police, with assistance from other agencies, began clearing the area around 10:30 pm By 11 pm, officers entered the building and arrested about 30 individuals on charges including trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy. Some protesters sustained injuries during the arrests and required medical attention.

University response

UW spokesperson Victor Balta stated that the university would not be intimidated by such actions and emphasized its opposition to antisemitism. He noted that any students involved would face disciplinary actions through the Student Conduct Office.

Protesters' demands

SUPER-UW's demands included the university cutting all ties with Boeing, returning any donations received from the company, and renaming the engineering building. They criticized Boeing's role in manufacturing weapons used by Israel in the Gaza conflict.

Broader context

This incident is part of a larger wave of pro-Palestinian protests on U.S. university campuses, where students have called for institutions to divest from companies linked to the Israeli military. The protests have sparked debates about academic freedom, campus safety, and the role of universities in global political issues.