Dozens of pro-Palestinian protesters arrested after occupying UW building

Pro-Palestinian protests at the University of Washington escalated on May 5, 2025, resulting in approximately 30 arrests after activists occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building. The demonstrators, known as SUPER UW, renamed the building the Shaban al-Dalou Building to protest the university's connections to Boeing, which they accused of complicity in genocide amidst the Gaza conflict. They barricaded entrances with furniture and set fires to trash outside, prompting police intervention. A spokesperson for the group stated their aim was to negotiate with the university until their demands were addressed. Their manifesto called for the removal of Boeing's influence on campus and protections for pro-Palestinian activists.

The university responded by denouncing the protest's dangerous nature and the disruptive actions taken by the demonstrators. Law enforcement cleared the area and made arrests for various charges, including trespassing and property destruction. The King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office is reviewing the situation to determine potential charges against those arrested.