Context:

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington, leading to over two dozen arrests. The demonstrators demanded that the university cut ties with Boeing due to its military contracts and involvement in the Gaza conflict. The protest began shortly before the building's closing, with participants blocking streets, entrances, and setting fires in dumpsters. Authorities, including campus and Seattle police, cleared the area and arrested individuals for charges like trespassing and disorderly conduct. The protest was organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER) UW, a group that has been suspended by the university and whose manifesto has been criticized for antisemitic content.

Dive Deeper:

• More than two dozen protesters were arrested after occupying the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington, demanding the university sever ties with Boeing over its military contracts and role in supplying weapons for the Gaza conflict.

• The protest began shortly before the building's closure at 5 p.m., with participants blocking access to streets, entrances, and exits, and igniting fires in dumpsters outside the building.

• Authorities involved included the Washington State Patrol’s Rapid Deployment Teams, campus police, and Seattle police, who began clearing the area outside the building around 10:30 p.m. and removed protesters from inside half an hour later.

• Charges filed against the arrested individuals include trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy, and any students involved will face actions from the Student Conduct Office.

• The protest was organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER) UW, a suspended student group that advocates for Palestinian rights and has called for the building to be renamed after a Gaza airstrike victim.

• Protesters were advised to wear masks and cover identifiable features, as outlined in the group's online manifesto, which also praises attacks on Israel by Hamas, drawing criticism for its antisemitic language.

• University spokesperson Victor Balta condemned the antisemitic nature of the group's statement, asserting that the university will not be intimidated by destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism.