Dozens arrested after protests escalate at University of Washington in Seattle
Dozens arrested after protests escalate at University of Washington in Seattle
Thirty-one people were arrested after protests escalated Monday night at the University of Washington.
SEATTLE - Thirty-one people were arrested after protests escalated Monday night at the University of Washington.
The university released a statement Tuesday morning condemning illegal activity and an antisemitic statement issued by a "suspended student group", though it did not name the group.
By the end of the day, four of the 31 people arrested had a first appearance hearing and were released by the court. An additional person was initially scheduled to have a court appearance but posted bond.
The remaining 26 people were given first appearance hearing dates for Wednesday morning. However, they also posted bond and are not required to appear for those gross misdemeanor arrests.
As of Tuesday evening, no one had been referred to the county for felony charges.
University of Washington spokesperson Victor Balta confirmed to FOX 13 Seattle that early estimates totaled at least $1 million in damages during the protest.
The other side:
The group ‘Super UW’ – Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return – posted on Instagram claiming the protest was in opposition to a newly funded building by Boeing. The group said it was demanding the university cut ties with Boeing due to the company's military contracts and repurpose the building.
A member of Super UW told FOX 13 Seattle they stand by their statement that the October 7 2023 Hamas-led attacks were "heroic," but they said they are not antisemitic.
"There's a lot of conflation between Zionism and Judaism, and to anyone who has taken the time to actually look at what Zionism as a national project means and the kind of the creation of it in the early, sorry, in the late 1800s understand it to exist as a different thing as Judaism as an entirety," said Noah Weigh a UW Student and member of Super UW.
What they're saying:
The university said protesters created a dangerous environment around the new Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, prompting a law enforcement response. Protesters, many with covered faces, reportedly blocked access to two streets near the building, including entrances and exits.
Campus police began clearing the area at about 10:30 p.m. and entered the building roughly 30 minutes later.
The university said about 30 individuals were arrested for occupying the building, with charges including trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct.
(Cam Higby via Storyful)
What we don't know:
UW has not confirmed whether the group included enrolled students, but said any students identified will be referred to the Office of Student Conduct.
Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown released a statement on the recent protests at UW on Wednesday.
"Our office has been closely monitoring the disturbing events at the University of Washington this week, in consultation with our client, the University. It is clear that there was substantial damage to public property and threats to the overall safety of the university community. I am thankful that those responsible were arrested and, if found guilty, should be held accountable. I fully and always support people’s right to protest and to express their views. Indeed it is foundational to our democracy. But everyone has a right to be safe on campus and UW must enforce the law."
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
The Source: Information in this story came from original reporting by FOX 13 Seattle, a press release by the University of Washington and a statement from Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown.
Possible Impacts
This sort of action on UW's campus could cost the university millions.
On Tuesday, Columbia University announced it was cutting about 180 staff members. This decision follows the Trump administration announcing it had canceled $400 million in federal grant dollars to the school. The announcement was made in March and the decision was based on the school's "failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment."
Protesters occupy University of Washington building in Seattle
Dozens of arrests were made at the University of Washington after pro-Palestinian protesters refused to leave the new Interdisciplinary Engineering building on campus.
Columbia University said it will cut around 180 staff members Tuesday following the Trump administration’s announcement in March that it canceled $400 million in federal grants over the Ivy League school’s "failure to protect Jewish students from antisemitic harassment."
Regina Sassoon Friedland the regional director of the American Jewish Committee tells FOX 13 Seattle she stands with the president's willingness to protect the Jewish community from antisemitism.
However, she thinks university's should be given the chance to take their own actions.
"If the schools are taking action, the way the University of Washington did last night, they're taking this seriously on their own, and in a case like that, I don't think we need federal intervention if they are already taking action," she said.
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