- Over 25 protesters arrested after occupying UW engineering building
- Group demands university sever all financial and academic ties with Boeing
- Tensions escalate as demonstrators face injuries during police intervention
- Incident marks latest clash in nationwide campus divestment movements
University of Washington campus police arrested more than 25 individuals following a tense occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB) on March 5, 2025. The protest, organized by Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), escalated when demonstrators barricaded entryways with furniture and refused to leave after closing hours. University officials confirmed multiple injuries occurred during arrests, though specifics remain undisclosed.
SUPER UW’s demands center on dismantling UW’s century-long partnership with Boeing, including returning the aerospace company’s $10 million contribution to the IEB’s construction. Protesters also seek to ban Boeing employees from teaching roles and curriculum influence. This confrontation follows similar student-led movements at institutions like Stanford University and MIT, where activists pressure schools to cut defense industry ties.
The university’s corporate partnership strategy faces renewed scrutiny as students nationwide challenge perceived ties to military conflicts. A 2024 Harvard study reveals 68% of top U.S. engineering programs receive defense contractor funding, creating ethical dilemmas for institutions balancing revenue and social responsibility. UW’s situation mirrors recent protests at Washington State University, where students successfully pushed for fossil fuel divestment through sustained campus campaigns.
Boeing’s UW relationship dates to 1917, with collaborations spanning aerospace research and workforce development. Critics argue such partnerships compromise academic independence, while administrators emphasize their role in funding innovation. UW’s annual $37 million defense research portfolio—5% of its total R&D budget—faces growing opposition from faculty and student coalitions.
As universities grapple with geopolitical tensions influencing campus activism, the UW protest highlights evolving strategies in student-led movements. Unlike traditional sit-ins, organizers now leverage social media to coordinate nationwide solidarity actions within hours. Legal experts predict prolonged court battles as universities balance free speech rights with property protection obligations.
