Pro-Palestinian students at the University of Washington made headlines on Monday evening as they occupied the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB), renaming it the Shaban al-Dalou Building in honor of a teenage engineering student who lost his life in Gaza. This protest stems from ongoing conflicts in the region and the university’s relationship with Boeing, a defense contractor that has been criticized for its role in the conflict.
The activist group Super UW organized the protest, demanding that the university sever all ties with Boeing and reallocate the IEB for community-controlled educational purposes. The protest drew dozens of participants who chanted slogans and set up makeshift barricades around the building. They have called for various actions, including ending Boeing’s involvement in the university, returning donations from the aerospace giant, and protecting pro-Palestine activists from potential repercussions by university authorities.
Super UW spokesperson Eric Horford voiced hopes for a dialogue with university administration, urging them to recognize the urgent concerns of their student body regarding social responsibility and institutional affiliations. The group’s manifesto articulates a profound dissatisfaction with the university’s perceived prioritization of financial gain over student welfare and activism.
In a response to the occupation, UW police confirmed their presence on-site and indicated that individuals remaining inside the building risk facing legal consequences. They emphasized that the situation is ongoing and that further updates will be managed with caution.
The backdrop to this protest includes a previous occupation from the same time last year when activists called for similar demands, ultimately leading to a temporary agreement with the university. The ongoing protest reflects a broader wave of student activism advocating for Palestinian rights, highlighting the long-standing financial ties between UW and Boeing, which has contributed significantly to the university’s funding and student employment.
The protestors’ demands echo a larger international discourse on social justice and corporate accountability in educational spaces. They have mobilized sentiments among peers, encouraging a collective stand against what they view as complicity in systemic injustices related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
As this situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the power and influence of student activism and the importance of dialogue in addressing complex social issues.