Pro-Palestinian Protest at University of Washington Leads to Arrests and Campus Tensions

On May 5, 2025, approximately 30 pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle after occupying the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building. The demonstration, organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), aimed to pressure the university to sever its ties with Boeing due to the company's military contracts with Israel.

The protest began around 5 p.m., with demonstrators barricading entrances to the building, blocking nearby streets, and setting fires in two dumpsters outside. They renamed the building the Shaban al-Dalou Building, in honor of a Palestinian engineering student killed in Gaza. Law enforcement, including campus police and Seattle police, intervened around 11 p.m., arresting individuals on charges of trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy.

SUPER UW has been vocal in its opposition to UW's relationship with Boeing, citing the company's $10 million donation in 2022 for the construction of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building. Boeing is a major supplier to the Israeli Defense Forces, providing various military equipment and munitions. In November 2024, Israel signed a $5.2 billion deal with Boeing to acquire 25 F-15IA fighter jets, with deliveries starting in 2031.

The University of Washington condemned the occupation, describing it as "dangerous, violent and illegal." The university emphasized its commitment to campus safety and its opposition to antisemitism. Following the arrests, UW suspended 21 students involved in the protest, banning them from all UW campuses. Thirteen non-student individuals were also banned from the Seattle campus. The cases of those arrested have been referred to the King County Prosecutor's Office for potential charges.

The protest at UW reflects a broader resurgence of pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses, driven by escalating tensions in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and perceived complicity of American institutions through financial and academic ties. Such demonstrations have sparked debates over free speech, academic freedom, and the boundaries of campus activism. The involvement of federal agencies in reviewing the incident underscores the national significance attributed to campus protests and their potential impact on university policies and federal funding.

This protest is part of a larger pattern of pro-Palestinian activism on university campuses, reminiscent of similar demonstrations in previous years. Notably, in April 2024, Columbia University experienced significant protests, including the occupation of Butler Library, leading to mass arrests and suspensions. The UW protest aligns with this trend, highlighting ongoing tensions and the persistence of student activism concerning the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The University of Washington's response to the protest, including suspensions and bans, indicates a firm stance against such occupations. The federal review initiated by the Trump administration adds another layer of scrutiny, potentially influencing how universities nationwide handle similar protests in the future.

As the situation develops, the balance between student activism, institutional policies, and external political pressures will continue to be a focal point in discussions about academic freedom and university governance.