30 Pro-Palestinian Protesters Arrested at the University of Washington

Tone & Political Bias: Moderately Left-Leaning

Why: The report centers student-led opposition to military-industrial ties and emphasizes the humanitarian framing of the protest, reflecting progressive political leanings typical of campus activism coverage.

The Situation

On Monday night, about 30 students and activists were arrested at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle after occupying the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building. The demonstration was part of an ongoing nationwide wave of campus protests in support of Palestinians amid the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The protest was organized by a group calling itself “Super UW,” which includes student activists and allies critical of the university’s institutional relationship with aerospace company Boeing. Protesters demanded that UW cut all academic and financial ties with Boeing, citing the company’s role in manufacturing weapons used by the Israeli military.

Protest Actions

The group occupied the building early in the day and blocked access to multiple entrances. Demonstrators placed barriers and lit dumpsters on fire outside the premises, drawing police intervention. The protest was described by officials as an unauthorized and hazardous action that disrupted normal university operations.

Inside the building, the activists displayed pro-Palestinian banners and signs. They temporarily renamed the space after Shaban al-Dalou, a 17-year-old engineering student killed in an Israeli airstrike near a hospital in Gaza. Organizers said the symbolic renaming was meant to highlight what they described as the complicity of Western institutions in global injustices.

This occupation followed weeks of tension and smaller demonstrations across campus. Students had previously submitted petitions and held vigils calling on UW to cut ties with military contractors and show solidarity with Gaza. Tuesday’s protest marked a significant escalation in tactics.

University and Law Enforcement Response

The University of Washington administration issued a statement condemning the occupation. Officials stated the building takeover posed safety threats and violated university policies. They emphasized their support for peaceful protest but rejected tactics that endanger public safety or damage property.

The university also addressed concerns about antisemitism on campus. In response to a separate but related incident involving antisemitic remarks from a suspended student group, UW reaffirmed its stance against hate speech. Administrators stressed that student conduct would be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and that violations of policy would result in disciplinary action.

Police arrived on campus in coordination with campus security, arresting 30 individuals. Charges include trespassing, property destruction, and disorderly conduct. Some of the arrested individuals have been confirmed to be students and will be referred to the university’s Student Conduct Office for disciplinary review.

Wider Context: Campus Activism and National Crackdown

The arrests at UW are part of a broader wave of campus activism in the United States. Since early 2024, pro-Palestinian demonstrations have spread to dozens of universities. Student groups across the country have launched sit-ins, occupations, and divestment campaigns targeting university investments and corporate partnerships with defense-related companies.

These protests have also drawn scrutiny from lawmakers, donors, and university boards. Critics have raised concerns about rising antisemitism, while activists argue that criticism of Israel’s military actions is being wrongly equated with hate speech.

Under the current administration, immigration and protest-related enforcement have intensified. Since late March 2025, more than 1,000 international students across the U.S. have reportedly had their student visas revoked or their immigration status challenged in connection with their participation in pro-Palestinian protests.

This includes cases where students were involved in nonviolent demonstrations.

Universities are increasingly caught in the middle, balancing student demands for institutional accountability with administrative pressures to maintain order and respond to political scrutiny.

What’s Next?

The University of Washington has not confirmed whether it will alter its relationship with Boeing. The administration has stated that its current partnerships serve academic and research interests and are under regular review.

Activist groups on campus say they plan to continue their campaign for divestment and solidarity with Palestinian communities. Several faculty members and student organizations have publicly supported the protesters’ right to dissent, though the administration has drawn a line between peaceful protest and actions that disrupt or endanger the campus community.

Across the country, the role of universities in global political conflicts is facing renewed attention — with student activism driving a national conversation on ethics, free speech, and institutional responsibility.

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