Anti-Israel protesters at the University of Washington caused over $120,000 in damage to engineering equipment and set fires in university dumpsters before police arrested 31 individuals for numerous charges including property destruction and conspiracy.
Key Takeaways
- 31 protesters were arrested after occupying a University of Washington engineering building, demanding the school cut ties with Boeing while causing significant property damage.
- Demonstrators vandalized manufacturing equipment valued between $35,000-$120,000, blocked building entrances, and set fires in dumpsters outside the facility.
- The protest group cited Hamas’ October 7th attack on Israel as a “heroic victory” in their manifesto, drawing sharp condemnation from university officials.
- The Trump administration has launched a federal review of anti-Semitic activity at the university and warned of potential funding cuts if Jewish students aren’t adequately protected.
- University President Ana Mari Cauce condemned the protest as “dangerous, violent and illegal,” refusing protesters’ demands to divest from Boeing’s $100+ million in university donations.
Violent Takeover Forces Police Response
The Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return UW (SUPER UW) led a hostile occupation of the university’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, attempting to rename it in memory of a Palestinian engineering student killed in Gaza. The demonstration quickly devolved as protesters barricaded entrances, vandalized expensive manufacturing equipment, and established what appeared to be an organized resistance to law enforcement intervention. University officials reported that negotiations with the protesters failed, necessitating a law enforcement response that included officers in riot gear to restore order on campus.
The protesters disrupted university operations and created dangerous conditions by lighting dumpster fires and preparing to confront police. According to university representatives, the occupiers caused significant damage to precision manufacturing machines valued between $35,000 and $120,000. Most concerning was the ideology driving these actions, as protest materials revealed the group’s characterization of the October 7th Hamas terrorist attack on Israel as a “heroic victory” rather than a massacre of innocent civilians.
University Leadership Condemns Violence
University of Washington leadership took a firm stance against the illegal occupation and destruction of property. “This was an issue of destruction, vandalism and things that are unlawful, especially on a college campus,” said Regina Friedland from the university.
“The University will not be intimidated by this sort of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms,” stated Victor Balta
University President Ana Mari Cauce was unequivocal in her assessment, describing the protest as “dangerous, violent and illegal.” The administration has maintained its position on keeping its relationship with Boeing intact, despite persistent pressure from these radical groups. Boeing has donated over $100 million to the university over the years, including $10 million specifically for the engineering building that was targeted and occupied by protesters.
Federal Intervention and Trump Administration Response
President Trump’s administration has launched a comprehensive review of anti-Semitic activity at the University of Washington, with multiple federal agencies involved in the investigation. The Federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism acknowledged the university’s response to this incident but urged further concrete actions to ensure safety for Jewish students on campus. Administration officials have warned that the university could face potential funding cuts if it fails to adequately protect Jewish students from harassment and intimidation.
“The intent was to repurpose a building that is meant to make weapons of war to a place that serves the needs of students, workers, and staff at the University of Washington,” said Noah Weight, one of the protest organizers, attempting to justify the criminal damage and occupation.
This is the latest in a string of anti-Israel demonstrations that have turned violent in the Seattle area. Thirty-one protesters were ultimately arrested on various charges, including trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy. Their cases have been referred to the King County prosecutor’s office, though no felony charges have yet been filed. University officials have emphasized that these cases are being treated as criminal matters rather than political expression, given the significant property damage and disruptive behavior involved.
