Pro-Palestinian students at the University of Washington in Seattle took over the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, renaming it the Shaban al-Dalou Building.
Seattle , Washington – On Monday evening, May 5, 2025, pro-Palestinian students at the University of Washington in Seattle took over the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building, renaming it the Shaban al-Dalou Building.
This protest aimed to pressure the university to cut ties with Boeing, a major aerospace company with military contracts linked to Israel.
The students, organized under the group Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER) UW, targeted the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building because it was partially funded by a $10 million donation from Boeing.
They argue that Boeing’s military contracts, including a recent deal to supply 25 F-15 fighter jets to Israel, make the company complicit in what they call a “US-funded genocide” in Gaza. By occupying the building, the protesters demanded the university end all financial and academic ties with Boeing, return its donations, and stop allowing Boeing executives to influence the curriculum.
The renaming of the building to the Shaban al-Dalou Building honors Shaban al-Dalou, a 19-year-old Palestinian software engineering student killed in an Israeli airstrike on a Gaza hospital compound in October 2024. His death, captured in a widely shared video showing him burning alive, became a symbol of Palestinian suffering, fueling global outrage and inspiring the protesters’ actions.
The occupation began around 5 p.m. on Monday, May 5, 2025, after the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building closed for the day. Protesters refused to leave, hung a banner honoring Shaban al-Dalou from a second-story window, and used dumpsters to block nearby roads.
The protesters set two dumpsters on fire outside, blocked streets, and barricaded entrances, creating a dangerous situation, as reported by multiple news outlets. Police arrested around 30 people on charges including trespassing, property destruction, and disorderly conduct.
While names of those arrested have been published, specific individuals responsible for setting the fires have not been publicly identified.
The standoff lasted six hours until police, including University of Washington Police, Seattle Police, and Washington State Patrol, cleared the building around 11 p.m. Approximately 30 protesters were arrested on charges including trespassing, property destruction, disorderly conduct, and conspiracy.
The protest was led by SUPER UW, a pro-Palestinian student group that has been vocal about the university’s ties to Boeing. Eric Horford, a spokesperson for SUPER UW, told local media the group wants to “remove the influence of Boeing and other manufacturing companies from our educational space” and expose the university’s “repressive tactics” against pro-Palestinian activism.
The university described SUPER UW as a “suspended student group,” and spokesperson Victor Balta condemned some of their statements as “antisemitic,” particularly those praising the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel.
Some reports and social media posts claimed involvement by Antifa, a loosely organized activist movement known for confrontational tactics. However, there’s no definitive evidence confirming Antifa’s participation.
The protest appeared to be primarily driven by SUPER UW and other pro-Palestinian students, with no clear organizational link to Antifa beyond speculation.
Historical Context of Boeing’s Influence:
The University of Washington has a long-standing relationship with Boeing, which was headquartered in Seattle until 2001. Beyond the $10 million donation for the engineering building, Boeing has funded scholarships, research, and internships, creating what protesters call a “pipeline” of students into the company’s workforce. This deep connection made the building a focal point for the protest.
The protest is part of a wave of pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. college campuses, which intensified after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel and Israel’s subsequent military campaign in Gaza.
Last year, the University of Washington saw a weeks-long pro-Palestinian encampment, and similar protests have occurred at universities like Columbia, UCLA, and Stanford.
The university has stated it “won’t be intimidated” by the protesters and is referring charges to the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Students involved may also face disciplinary action through the Student Conduct Office.
The occupation signals that pro-Palestinian protests may escalate this summer, potentially mirroring last year’s widespread encampments and building takeovers. The arrested students could face legal consequences, including fines or jail time, depending on the charges.
SUPER UW has vowed to continue its campaign, suggesting more protests or disruptions are likely if their demands aren’t met.
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