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Police clear UW building after pro-Palestinian demonstration

Craig Nigrelli (Anchor/Reporter), William Jackson (Producer)

Summary

Campus takeover

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, calling for the school to sever ties with Boeing. The protest, led by the suspended student group SUPER UW, included road blockades and dumpster fires.

Security response

Police and state patrol cleared the building hours after the takeover began, arresting around 30 individuals on trespassing and property destruction charges. During the operation, firefighters extinguished two outside dumpster fires.

Ties to Boeing

A $10 million Boeing donation partially funded the building, prompting student claims that the company’s defense contracts connect it to the Gaza conflict. The university condemned the protest as unlawful and antisemitic in nature.

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building on Monday, May 5, prompting police to make several arrests. The demonstration, organized by the suspended student group Super UW, began around 5 p.m. Protesters blocked access points with barricades and set dumpsters on fire. Just after 11:30 p.m., officers in riot gear entered the building and arrested individuals who refused to leave. The facility is partially funded by Boeing.
Image credit: @camhigby via X
This recording was made using enhanced software.

Summary

Campus takeover

Pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, calling for the school to sever ties with Boeing. The protest, led by the suspended student group SUPER UW, included road blockades and dumpster fires.

Security response

Police and state patrol cleared the building hours after the takeover began, arresting around 30 individuals on trespassing and property destruction charges. During the operation, firefighters extinguished two outside dumpster fires.

Ties to Boeing

A $10 million Boeing donation partially funded the building, prompting student claims that the company’s defense contracts connect it to the Gaza conflict. The university condemned the protest as unlawful and antisemitic in nature.

Full story

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators occupied the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building on Monday, May 5, calling for the university to sever ties with Boeing over its military contracts. The protest, led by the suspended student group Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), began around 5 p.m.

Unbiased. Straight Facts.TM

SUPER UW, a suspended student organization accused of promoting antisemitic content, claimed responsibility for the protest.

Protests included road blockades, dumpster fires and banners hung from upper-floor windows. Demonstrators renamed it the Shaban al-Dalou Building, in honor of a Palestinian engineering student reportedly killed in Gaza.

What role does Boeing play in the controversy?

According to the university, Boeing donated $10 million to construct the $105 million engineering facility in 2022. Protesters alleged the aerospace company’s ties to the Israeli military have contributed to the conflict in Gaza. Boeing has not issued a public statement on the protest.

How did law enforcement respond to the building takeover?

Officers from campus police, Seattle police and the Washington State Patrol entered the building around 11 p.m. to remove the demonstrators. Authorities arrested about 30 individuals inside and face trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct and conspiracy charges.

Were any safety measures taken during the protest?

Demonstrators reportedly stacked furniture to block entryways and ignited fires in two dumpsters outside the building. Firefighters responded to extinguish the flames. The university said everyone who did not wish to remain inside had exited before arrests began.

What is the university’s position on the protest?

University spokesperson Victor Balta described the demonstrators’ actions as unlawful and labeled the student group’s online statements antisemitic.

“The University will not be intimidated by this sort of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms,” Balta said in a statement to CNN.

People watch from a nearby building as a protester walks by with a sign calling for the school to cut ties with Boeing during a student-led pro-Palestinian protest at the University of Washington campus Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2025, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson

The university had previously seen pro-Palestinian demonstrations, including an encampment in 2024 and a march in February 2025 against Boeing’s role on campus.

What are protesters demanding from the university?

SUPER UW has published a manifesto demanding that the University of Washington cut ties with Boeing and criticizing the company’s defense involvement.

The university emphasized that SUPER UW is currently a suspended organization.

Kaleb Gillespie (Video Editor) and Devan Markham (Morning Digital Producer) contributed to this report.
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Why this story matters

The occupation of a University of Washington building by pro-Palestinian protesters highlights ongoing debates over institutional relationships with defense contractors and the challenges universities face balancing free expression, safety, and accusations of antisemitism amid international conflicts.

University and corporate ties

Protesters are challenging the university's relationship with Boeing, raising questions about ethical investments and complicity in global conflicts.

Campus activism and protest response

The demonstration underscores increasing activism on university campuses and the tensions that arise between students, administration, and law enforcement during protests.

Antisemitism and free speech

Statements by protest organizers and the university's response have sparked debate over the boundaries between political activism, hate speech, and institutional responsibility to maintain inclusive environments.

Get the big picture

Synthesized coverage insights across 12 media outlets

Behind the numbers

About 30 individuals were arrested after occupying the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building. The $105.5 million facility was partially funded by a $10 million donation from Boeing, included in a broader $46 million package of private and corporate gifts. Protesters face charges such as trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct. A related protest in February 2025 reportedly drew about 150 participants.

Common ground

Across the articles, there is agreement that the protest involved pro-Palestinian activists occupying a University of Washington engineering building and demanding that the university end its relationship with Boeing due to the company’s military contracts and its role in supplying weapons used in the Gaza conflict. All sources report police intervention and multiple arrests.

Context corner

The University of Washington has a history of student activism, including previous pro-Palestinian encampments and protests targeting institutional links to military contractors. Recent university protests in the US often center on divestment and institutional accountability for perceived complicity in overseas conflicts. Boeing’s longstanding financial and collaborative relationship with UW underscores the tension between academic partnerships and student activism.

Sources

  1. CNN
  2. The Daily
  3. KING 5
  4. KIRO 7
  5. SUPER UW via Facebook
  6. College of Engineering | University of Washington
  7. UW News | University of Washington

Media landscape

Click on bars to see headlines

12 total sources

Key points from the Left

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

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Key points from the Center

  • Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the University of Washington's Interdisciplinary Engineering Building on May 6, 2025, in Seattle, blocking entrances with furniture and banners.
  • The protesters called on the university to end its relationship with Boeing because of the company’s $10 million contribution to the building and its military contracts allegedly linked to supporting the Israeli Defense Forces in Gaza.
  • Authorities began dispersing protesters outside the building around 10:30 p.m. And moved to clear those inside approximately 30 minutes afterward, leading to the arrest of about 30 individuals on charges related to unlawful entry, damage to property, disruptive behavior and plotting, with cases to be forwarded to county prosecutors.
  • University spokesperson Victor Balta stated that the charges related to the arrests, including trespassing and property destruction, are being sent to county prosecutors, and any students involved will be reported to the Student Conduct Office; he also condemned antisemitic remarks made by the suspended group SUPER UW connected to the protest.
  • The event disrupted research in a $102 million building designed to foster engineering education, and signals ongoing campus tensions over geopolitical issues and university partnerships.

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Key points from the Right

No summary available because of a lack of coverage.

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Other (sources without bias rating):

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Timeline

  • Pro-Palestinian protests occur on Pacific Northwest campuses, with demonstrators supporting Palestine and targeting a corporation.
    @JChapmanNews on X
    U.S.
    May 6

    Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after taking over UW building

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  • A group of Orthodox Jewish men chased and physically assaulted a woman through Brooklyn after mistaking her for a pro-Palestinian protester.
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    U.S.
    Apr 28

    Hundreds of Jewish men chase woman misidentified as pro-Palestinian protester

    A group of Orthodox Jewish men and boys numbering in the hundreds chased, kicked, spit on and threw objects at a woman after mistaking her for a pro-Palestinian protester during an event at Chabad-Lubavitch’s global headquarters, located in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood. The event, which took place Thursday, April 24, attracted advocates of both the...

  • Federal agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, without a warrant on March 8 in New York, according to court documents. According to filings from the Department of Homeland Security, immigration officers believed Khalil posed a flight risk and said he refused to cooperate when approached.
    Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images
    U.S.
    Apr 25

    ICE accused of arresting pro-Palestinian protester without warrant

    Federal agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, without a warrant on March 8 in New York, according to court documents. According to filings from the Department of Homeland Security, immigration officers believed Khalil posed a flight risk and said he refused to cooperate when approached. Agents claimed Khalil said he...

  • Agents raided Michigan homes in a vandalism probe, which activists claim targets pro-Palestinian protesters, though officials deny a link.
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    Apr 23

    FBI raids homes of protesters in southeast Michigan

    FBI agents and other law enforcement agencies conducted raids on homes in southeast Michigan on Wednesday morning. Law enforcement executed search warrants obtained by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, according to a statement released by Nessel on her official X account. Officials said the raids took place at residences in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti....

  • DHS announced the arrest of a Columbia University student and self-deportation of another, with more visa revocations expected.
    Getty Images
    U.S.
    Mar 14

    DHS announces second arrest in connection to campus protests

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest of a second Columbia University student allegedly involved in pro-Palestinian protests on campus last spring. Meanwhile, another student self-deported after her visa was revoked for similarly participating in protests. Federal immigration officers took Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, into custody after she overstayed...

  • Columbia University expelled, suspended and revoked degrees of students involved in the April 2024 Hamilton Hall occupation.
    Getty Images
    U.S.
    Mar 14

    Columbia announces punishments for pro-Palestine protesters

    Columbia University officials confirmed that the institution expelled, suspended and revoked temporary degrees of students who participated in the occupation of Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests in April 2024. At the time, the New York City Police Department arrested nearly 100 individuals after protesters barricaded themselves inside the campus building. Columbia issues a statement on...

  • The lawyer for Mahmoud Khalil, a recently detained Palestinian activist, released video of his arrest at his apartment.
    Getty Images
    U.S.
    Mar 9

    ICE arrests Palestinian student activist behind Columbia University protests

    U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) arrested a Palestinian activist responsible for helping lead the encampment movement at Columbia University. According to Mahmoud Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, the ICE agents said they were ordered by the State Department to revoke his green card. Greer told the Associated Press that Khalil was taken into custody by...

  • Purdue University's student paper is deleting the names and photos of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
    purdueexponent.org
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    Feb 6

    College newspaper deletes names, photos of pro-Palestinian protesters

    Full Story Purdue University’s student newspaper, The Exponent, is protesting President Donald Trump’s executive order. Trump’s order is aimed at canceling the visas of foreign students promoting Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, during pro-Palestinian protests. The editorial board announced it will no longer publish the names or images of pro-Palestinian students who may be impacted...

  • Pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities on Monday after vandalizing and barricading Morrill Hall.
    @DannySpewak
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    Oct 22

    Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

    A number of pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities were arrested Monday, Oct. 21, after vandalizing and barricading Morrill Hall. The university released a statement, saying the protesters, of which 11 were arrested, entered the building around 4 p.m. Monday. “Once inside the building, protesters began spray painting, including covering lenses of...

  • Harvard University must face a lawsuit after a U.S. judge ruled that Jewish students alleged antisemitism on campus.
    AP Images
    Politics
    May 14

    Pro-Palestinian protesters agree to end encampment at Harvard

    Protests over the war in Gaza at Harvard University reportedly reached a peaceful end. Harvard and pro-Palestinian student protesters came to an agreement on Tuesday, May 14, to end the weekslong pro-Palestinian encampment. Harvard officials said that they agreed to discuss student questions about the school’s financial connections to Israeli organizations. Protesters said Harvard agreed...

  • The University declined divesting from Israel but pledged to expedite reviewing student proposals through the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing.
    Getty Images
    International
    Apr 19

    Dozens detained during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University

    More than 100 students were arrested Thursday, April 18, at Columbia University during a pro-Palestinian protest on the campus’ main lawn. The arrests occurred as New York City police, in riot gear, dismantled a makeshift tent city that had been set up by the protesters without school permission after a second day of protest. University President Minouche...

  • Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupt President Biden's celebrity-packed fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall. And, The Wall Street Journal marks one year of reporter Evan Gershkovich being held in a Russian prison.
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Sources

  1. CNN
  2. The Daily
  3. KING 5
  4. KIRO 7
  5. SUPER UW via Facebook
  6. College of Engineering | University of Washington
  7. UW News | University of Washington

Timeline

  • Pro-Palestinian protests occur on Pacific Northwest campuses, with demonstrators supporting Palestine and targeting a corporation.
    @JChapmanNews on X
    U.S.
    May 6

    Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after taking over UW building

    Pro-Palestinian protests take place on Pacific Northwest campuses a year after nationwide unrest, with demonstrators expressing their support for Palestine and targeting a specific corporation. Also, the Trump administration offers a reward to undocumented immigrants who choose to leave the U.S. voluntarily. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, May 6, 2025....

  • A group of Orthodox Jewish men chased and physically assaulted a woman through Brooklyn after mistaking her for a pro-Palestinian protester.
    AP Photo
    U.S.
    Apr 28

    Hundreds of Jewish men chase woman misidentified as pro-Palestinian protester

    A group of Orthodox Jewish men and boys numbering in the hundreds chased, kicked, spit on and threw objects at a woman after mistaking her for a pro-Palestinian protester during an event at Chabad-Lubavitch’s global headquarters, located in Brooklyn’s Crown Heights neighborhood. The event, which took place Thursday, April 24, attracted advocates of both the...

  • Federal agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, without a warrant on March 8 in New York, according to court documents. According to filings from the Department of Homeland Security, immigration officers believed Khalil posed a flight risk and said he refused to cooperate when approached.
    Selcuk Acar/Anadolu via Getty Images
    U.S.
    Apr 25

    ICE accused of arresting pro-Palestinian protester without warrant

    Federal agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student and pro-Palestinian activist, without a warrant on March 8 in New York, according to court documents. According to filings from the Department of Homeland Security, immigration officers believed Khalil posed a flight risk and said he refused to cooperate when approached. Agents claimed Khalil said he...

  • Agents raided Michigan homes in a vandalism probe, which activists claim targets pro-Palestinian protesters, though officials deny a link.
    Getty Images
    Politics
    Apr 23

    FBI raids homes of protesters in southeast Michigan

    FBI agents and other law enforcement agencies conducted raids on homes in southeast Michigan on Wednesday morning. Law enforcement executed search warrants obtained by Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, according to a statement released by Nessel on her official X account. Officials said the raids took place at residences in Ann Arbor, Canton and Ypsilanti....

  • DHS announced the arrest of a Columbia University student and self-deportation of another, with more visa revocations expected.
    Getty Images
    U.S.
    Mar 14

    DHS announces second arrest in connection to campus protests

    The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the arrest of a second Columbia University student allegedly involved in pro-Palestinian protests on campus last spring. Meanwhile, another student self-deported after her visa was revoked for similarly participating in protests. Federal immigration officers took Leqaa Kordia, a Palestinian from the West Bank, into custody after she overstayed...

  • Columbia University expelled, suspended and revoked degrees of students involved in the April 2024 Hamilton Hall occupation.
    Getty Images
    U.S.
    Mar 14

    Columbia announces punishments for pro-Palestine protesters

    Columbia University officials confirmed that the institution expelled, suspended and revoked temporary degrees of students who participated in the occupation of Hamilton Hall during pro-Palestinian protests in April 2024. At the time, the New York City Police Department arrested nearly 100 individuals after protesters barricaded themselves inside the campus building. Columbia issues a statement on...

  • The lawyer for Mahmoud Khalil, a recently detained Palestinian activist, released video of his arrest at his apartment.
    Getty Images
    U.S.
    Mar 9

    ICE arrests Palestinian student activist behind Columbia University protests

    U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) arrested a Palestinian activist responsible for helping lead the encampment movement at Columbia University. According to Mahmoud Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, the ICE agents said they were ordered by the State Department to revoke his green card. Greer told the Associated Press that Khalil was taken into custody by...

  • Purdue University's student paper is deleting the names and photos of students involved in pro-Palestinian protests on campus.
    purdueexponent.org
    U.S.
    Feb 6

    College newspaper deletes names, photos of pro-Palestinian protesters

    Full Story Purdue University’s student newspaper, The Exponent, is protesting President Donald Trump’s executive order. Trump’s order is aimed at canceling the visas of foreign students promoting Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, during pro-Palestinian protests. The editorial board announced it will no longer publish the names or images of pro-Palestinian students who may be impacted...

  • Pro-Palestinian protesters were arrested at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities on Monday after vandalizing and barricading Morrill Hall.
    @DannySpewak
    Politics
    Oct 22

    Pro-Palestinian protesters arrested at University of Minnesota Twin Cities

    A number of pro-Palestinian protesters at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities were arrested Monday, Oct. 21, after vandalizing and barricading Morrill Hall. The university released a statement, saying the protesters, of which 11 were arrested, entered the building around 4 p.m. Monday. “Once inside the building, protesters began spray painting, including covering lenses of...

  • Harvard University must face a lawsuit after a U.S. judge ruled that Jewish students alleged antisemitism on campus.
    AP Images
    Politics
    May 14

    Pro-Palestinian protesters agree to end encampment at Harvard

    Protests over the war in Gaza at Harvard University reportedly reached a peaceful end. Harvard and pro-Palestinian student protesters came to an agreement on Tuesday, May 14, to end the weekslong pro-Palestinian encampment. Harvard officials said that they agreed to discuss student questions about the school’s financial connections to Israeli organizations. Protesters said Harvard agreed...

  • The University declined divesting from Israel but pledged to expedite reviewing student proposals through the Advisory Committee for Socially Responsible Investing.
    Getty Images
    International
    Apr 19

    Dozens detained during pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University

    More than 100 students were arrested Thursday, April 18, at Columbia University during a pro-Palestinian protest on the campus’ main lawn. The arrests occurred as New York City police, in riot gear, dismantled a makeshift tent city that had been set up by the protesters without school permission after a second day of protest. University President Minouche...

  • Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupt President Biden's celebrity-packed fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall. And, The Wall Street Journal marks one year of reporter Evan Gershkovich being held in a Russian prison.
    Reuters
    Business
    Mar 29

    Pro-Palestinian protesters interrupt Biden's star-studded NYC fundraiser

    Pro-Palestinian demonstrators interrupt President Biden’s celebrity-packed fundraising event at Radio City Music Hall. And, The Wall Street Journal marks one year of reporter Evan Gershkovich being held in a Russian prison. These stories and more highlight The Morning Rundown for Friday, March 29, 2024. Protesters interrupt Biden’s star-studded NYC fundraiser President Joe Biden, joined by...