Pro Hamas protesters occupy University of Washington building, 30 arrested

A group of pro Hamas protesters occupied a building at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle on Monday before police in riot gear intervened and arrested at least 30 of them, according to officials.

The protesters occupied an engineering building on campus for hours and demanded that the school divest from Boeing, the large aerospace and defense manufacturer which has a long history with the university.

Video from the scene shows several dumpsters on fire as police moved in to regain control of the building after the demonstrators had locked themselves inside. One protester outside could be heard shouting: "Abolish the police. Every cop dead is a victory for the resistance."

The UW said in a statement that the protesters had created a "dangerous environment" in and around the building.

The protesters, who mostly covered their faces, blocked access to two streets outside the building, blocked entrances and exits to the building and ignited fires in two dumpsters on a street outside, the university said.

UW Police worked with local police to contain the situation and began clearing the area outside the building at around 10:30 p.m. before moving into the building at 11 p.m.

About 30 protesters who occupied the building were arrested and charged with trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit all three, the university said.

"The UW is committed to maintaining a secure learning and research environment and strongly condemns this illegal building occupation and the antisemitic statement that was issued by a suspended student group Monday," UW said in a statement.

The Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return, a student group at UW, said it helped organize the protest and said that Boeing funded the building to the tune of $10 million.

"The University of Washington is a direct partner in the genocide of the Palestinian people through its allegiance to its partnership with Boeing," the group said in a social media post Monday night while rallying others to join the protest. "Wear a mask, and cover identifiable features," the group wrote.

- Fox News

https://www.foxnews.com/us/anti-israel-protesters-occupy-university-washington-building-30-arrested