After an intense night of destructive protests, activity has calmed down on the University of Washington campus, where about 30 activists were taken into custody early Tuesday morning.
At around 5 p.m., pro-Palestinian students occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building Monday evening, renaming it the Shaban al-Dalou Building, in protest against the university’s ties to Boeing as war continues in Gaza.
There is a lot of damage to clean up from the group named Super UW. Furniture, signs, and electric scooters remain barricaded against the front door of the building. Trash is strewn across the courtyard, and items, including goggles, were left behind.
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Police are still monitoring the area after UW campus police contacted the Seattle Police Department for “mutual aid assistance,” according to the SPD.
Shortly after 10 p.m., protesters began burning trash from a dumpster used to block one of the campus streets.
Police donned gear and stepped in just after 10:30 p.m. when the protest became dangerous and those involved broke into the building. Officers wearing SWAT gear were seen trying to get the situation under control.
Super UW spokesperson Eric Horford told KOMO News his group plans to continue protests until the university hears its message.
“We are going to be here until our demands are met. We are here to negotiate with the university, and we are hoping they’ll hear us and speak with us,” he said.
According to the university, the individuals who occupied the building were arrested for trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit all three.
The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office decides whether those arrested will be charged.
A UW spokesperson gave the following statement to KOMO News:
“Monday evening, a number of individuals temporarily occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building and created a dangerous environment in and around the building. As law enforcement from several agencies assembled to respond, individuals who mostly covered their faces blocked access to two streets outside the building, blocked entrances and exits to the building and ignited fires in two dumpsters on a street outside. UW Police worked with law enforcement partners to contain the situation and began clearing the area outside the building around 10:30 p.m. before moving into the building to clear it at 11 p.m. About 30 individuals who occupied the building were arrested and charges of trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit all three, will be referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Any students identified as being involved will also be referred to the Student Conduct Office.
“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. The University will not be intimidated by this sort of offensive and destructive behavior and will continue to oppose antisemitism in all its forms.”
