About 30 individuals were arrested early Tuesday after occupying the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building at the University of Washington during a night of protests. The action, led by a group identifying itself as SUPER UW, targeted the university over its ties to Boeing.
Protesters occupied the building Monday evening, barricading entrances with furniture and other items. Fires were set in two dumpsters on a street outside the building. Authorities described the environment as dangerous.
The group SUPER UW released demands including that the University of Washington end its relationship with Boeing, citing the company's military contracts and the ongoing war in Gaza. Protesters renamed the occupied building the Shaban al-Dalou Building.
Demands called for Boeing to be removed from the specific building and off the UW campus entirely. They also sought an end to any repression of Pro-Palestinian activism, including protection for students facing federal scrutiny over immigration status.
Law enforcement from multiple agencies, including UW Police, the Seattle Police Department, and Washington State Patrol, responded to the scene. Officers began clearing the area outside the building late Monday before entering the occupied structure.
The individuals inside were arrested on charges including trespassing, property destruction, and disorderly conduct, along with conspiracy to commit those acts. The cases will be referred to the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.
A UW spokesperson stated that any students identified among those arrested will also face referral to the university's Student Conduct Office.
The University of Washington condemned the illegal building occupation and a related Antisemitism statement issued by a suspended student group.
"The UW is committed to maintaining a secure learning and research environment, and strongly condemns this illegal building occupation and the antisemitic statement that was issued by a suspended student group Monday," said Victor Balta, a UW spokesperson. "The University will not be intimidated by this sort of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms."
The confrontation followed a previous agreement between the university and protesters last year, though demands for UW divestment from Boeing had previously been rejected.
Damage from the occupation included scattered trash, furniture used as barricades, and burned debris from the dumpster fires.
