Protesters Occupy University of Washington Building, Demand End to Boeing Ties

A group of protesters at the University of Washington occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building on May 5, demanding the university sever ties with Boeing due to its defense contracts and alleged involvement in the Gaza conflict. The protest was organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return, who cited concerns over Boeing's manufacturing of bombs used in Gaza and the company's financial gains from the ongoing conflict. Protesters stacked furniture at entryways, covered their faces, and allegedly started fires inside the building. University officials stated that campus police are on site, and that anyone not wishing to be in the building has left, designating the remaining occupants as trespassers who will face legal and student conduct actions. Boeing has a longstanding relationship with the university, including a recent $10 million donation to the engineering building. The situation remained ongoing as police surrounded the building and monitored the protest.