21 UW students banned from campuses following pro-Palestinian protest, takeover

The University of Washington (UW) reported that 21 students who participated in a pro-Palestinian protest have been suspended and banned from all UW campuses.

The university also stated it received a notice that the federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism initiated a review of federal grants and contracts at the school. The review comes after protesters caused more than $1 million in damages when they held a takeover of the university’s new Interdisciplinary Engineering Building Monday night.

Thirty-one people were arrested for the takeover and subsequent barricade following a prolonged standoff between protesters and law enforcement. The building was opened to students in March. Boeing donated approximately $10 million for the construction of the $90 million new engineering building. $50 million came from the Washington state legislature.

Group wants UW to cut ties with Boeing

A group called Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW) claimed it was behind the takeover. The organization wants the university to stop receiving any funding or donations from Boeing.

“Return any existing donations, financial investments, and eliminate all other material ties to Boeing,” SUPER UW stated. “Prohibit Boeing executives and employees from teaching classes or having any influence over curriculum.”

Boeing, in addition to being one of the premier airplane manufacturers in the world, is one of the largest defense companies in the U.S. UW has previously stated that its relationship with Boeing dates back “more than a century.”

The extent of the damages

According to KOMO News, doors were pulled off hinges within the building while others were glued shut. Participants of the takeover broke and smashed machine manufacturing tools worth thousands of dollars. A Boeing mural was also defaced.

SUPER UW barricaded themselves in the building with furniture, e-scooters, and other items. The group also started small fires by burning trash from a dumpster.

The building will be closed through the end of the week, UW stated, but there’s a chance it will be closed for the rest of the school year.

“This was no peaceful protest in support of Palestinian rights or against the war in Gaza. I condemn this dangerous, violent, and illegal building occupation and related vandalism,” UW President Ana Mari Cauce said in a statement Tuesday. “I also condemn in the strongest terms the group’s statement celebrating the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks against Israeli civilians. The university will not be intimidated by this sort of horrific and destructive behavior and will not engage in dialogue with any group using or condoning such destructive tactics. We will continue our actions to oppose antisemitism, racism, and all forms of biases so that ALL our students, faculty, staff, and visitors can feel safe and welcome on our campuses.”

AG Nick Brown: ‘UW must enforce the law’

On Wednesday, Attorney General Nick Brown issued a statement condemning the protests.

“It is clear that there was substantial damage to public property and threats to the overall safety of the university community,” Brown said. “I am thankful that those responsible were arrested and, if found guilty, should be held accountable. I fully and always support people’s right to protest and to express their views. Indeed, it is foundational to our democracy. But everyone has a right to be safe on campus and UW must enforce the law.”

Contributing: Julia Dallas, MyNorthwest

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