SEATTLE — The University of Washington has suspended 21 students who were involved in a pro-Palestinian protest and occupation of the campus’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building earlier this week.
The institution is also under review by the federal Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, which is examining the university’s federal grants and contracts.
The inciting incident happened on May 5, when pro-Palestinian students occupied the IEB on campus, renaming it the Shaban al-Dalou Building, in protest against the university’s ties to Boeing as war continues in Gaza.
PHOTOS | Protest damage inside UW Interdisciplinary Engineering Building
A group dressed in all black clothing, identified as Super UW, set dumpsters on fire and vandalized school property, causing more than $1 million in damages to the IEB.
The self-described pro-Palestinian protesters barricaded themselves inside the nearly brand new Interdisciplinary Engineering Building on campus Monday evening. The building, which just opened with a “soft launch” to students in March, was funded in part with $50 million from the Washington state legislature.
The students demanded the university cut all ties with Boeing, including returning any Boeing donations and barring the company’s employees from teaching at or otherwise influencing the school as war continues in Gaza.
RELATED: Pro-Palestinian protesters cause $1M in damage to UW engineering building, equipment
PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Pro-Palestinian protesters occupy UW campus building, demand divestment from Boeing
On Tuesday, a professor led KOMO News through the building to show how doors were pulled off hinges, others were glued shut, machine manufacturing tools worth thousands of dollars were broken and smashed and a Boeing mural – with fresh paint and signage – was defaced. The university described the damage to their CNC machine tools as “extensive.”
The UW said the building will be closed through the end of the week, but it’s possible the building could remain closed for the rest of the school year.
On the day of the protest, SUPER UW released a manifesto demanding the following:
“WE DEMAND: UW will no longer be complicit in genocide. WE DEMAND: that our tuition money and our research not be used to fund and fuel genocide. Students have occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building and declared that this building, renamed the Shaban al-Dalou Building will not be used to fund genocide, but to meet the needs of students and community.
Boeing out of the IEB. Repurpose the building into a community-controlled space with pro-people education.Boeing out of UW. Stop receiving any and all donations from Boeing. Return any existing donations, financial investments, and eliminate all other material ties to Boeing. Prohibit Boeing executives and employees from teaching classes or having any influence over curriculum.End the expulsion, suspension, and all repression and targeted assault of pro-Palestine activism and activists, especially providing protections for our fellow students being targeted by the federal government for their immigration status,” it read, in part.
Following the occupation of the IEB, 34 protesters were eventually taken into custody, and UW said they caused more than $1 million in damage to the university’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told KOMO News on Tuesday that it was aware of 31 people who were arrested and booked into the King County jail in connection with the protest.
The arrests come amid a Trump administration crackdown on international students who took part in pro-Palestinian protests at U.S. colleges and universities. More than 1,000 students at 160 colleges, universities and university systems have had their visas revoked or their legal status terminated since late March, according to an Associated Press review of university statements, correspondence with school officials and court records.
Of the 34 individuals, 21 were confirmed to be students, according to UW.
UW, in a statement released Wednesday, wrote that all 21 students have been suspended and banned from all UW campuses.
RELATED | Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after occupying UW building
A UW representative said the suspensions were grounded in the claim that the students’ behavior” may present a danger to the campus community.”
Non-student participants will be banned from the Seattle campus.
The university has also condemned antisemitism, harassment, and discrimination. During the incident, UW claimed that it maintained communication with campus and Seattle Jewish community leaders, acknowledging their concerns.
On Wednesday, Super UW released a statement on Instagram saying that they plan to hold a rally on May 8 at 1 p.m. at Gerberding Hall
The Jewish Federation of Greater Seattle praised the university’s swift response and clear denunciation of antisemitism.
The university stated its compliance with Title VI and other federal civil rights laws, while also recognizing the need for ongoing improvements. Efforts include appointing a full-time Title VI coordinator, enhancing training on preventing shared ancestry discrimination, reviewing policies, and strengthening ties with the Jewish community.
Additionally, the university said it has improved bias incident reporting and response processes and consolidated anti-discrimination compliance into a new Civil Rights Compliance Office.
In March, the Board of Regents rejected a proposal to divest from companies with ties to Israel.
