30 Pro-Palestine Protesters Arrested at University of Washington Over Boeing Ties to Gaza Conflict

About 30 pro-Palestinian students were arrested at the University of Washington (UW) following a campus protest demanding that the institution cut ties with aerospace giant Boeing over its alleged involvement in the conflict in Gaza.

According to UW spokesperson Victor Balta, the demonstrators, who occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB) on Monday evening, are facing charges of trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit those offenses. The case has been referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office.

The IEB, where the protest occurred, was partially funded through a $10 million donation from Boeing. Protesters claim the donation has led to an agreement allowing Boeing influence over university curriculum and recruitment.

CNN reported that demonstrators blocked entrances to the building and displayed a banner honoring a Palestinian engineering student reportedly killed by an Israeli airstrike. NBC News added that university police began clearing the area around 10:30 p.m. before entering the building about 30 minutes later.

The protest was organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), which said on social media that the university’s partnership with Boeing compromises academic independence and supports militarization.

The group demanded UW end its relationship with Boeing and repurpose the IEB to serve broader educational needs.

In a statement, Balta condemned the building occupation and described a related statement from a suspended student group as antisemitic. He emphasized the university’s commitment to maintaining a secure environment for learning and research.

The Seattle Police Department referred inquiries to the UW Police Department, which did not respond to a request for comment.