More than 30 people charged in connection with UW building takeover during pro-Palestinian protest More than 30 individuals have been charged with misdemeanor criminal trespassing in connection with the occupation of the University of Washington’s Interdisciplinary Engineering Building during a pro-Palestinian protest last May. Prosecutors stated that while the trespassing charges are sufficient, they cannot determine who caused the damage to the building, which is why felony charges are not being pursued. Casey McNerthney, a spokesperson for the King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office, explained that trespassing alone does not constitute a felony without additional evidence. “If we could show exactly who caused the damage, then we would be looking at a felony case,” McNerthney said. The misdemeanor charge carries a potential penalty of up to one year in jail and significant fines. Authorities reported that the group occupying the building caused approximately $1 million in damage. Arraignments for the charged individuals are scheduled for March 25. The group responsible for the takeover, SUPER UW, claimed responsibility for the incident and issued a statement demanding that the university sever all ties with Boeing. The organization called for the university to return existing donations, eliminate financial investments, and prohibit Boeing executives and employees from influencing academic programs or teaching classes. Boeing, a major defense contractor and airplane manufacturer, has had a long-standing relationship with the University of Washington, dating back over a century. The university has not yet responded to the demands from SUPER UW.#boeing #university_of_washington #super_uw #casey_mcnerthney #king_county_prosecuting_attorney
33 charged with trespassing in pro-Palestinian protest at UW Prosecutors have charged 33 individuals affiliated with a pro-Palestinian protest group with first-degree criminal trespassing in connection with a May 2025 occupation of a University of Washington engineering building. The charges were filed nearly 10 months after the group, known as Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return UW (SUPER UW), blocked the entrances to the university’s new Interdisciplinary Engineering Building and refused to vacate the premises for several hours. According to the university, the protesters caused damage to the building and its equipment, including four new manufacturing machines, with estimated damages ranging from $35,000 to $120,000. A University of Washington spokesperson, Victor Balta, stated that the charges represent a critical step in holding individuals accountable for their actions during the protest. He also noted that 21 UW students had already faced suspensions through the university’s student conduct process. Balta emphasized the institution’s commitment to free speech while condemning unlawful behavior, stating, “We value free speech and expression but also must continue to be a campus community where dangerous, unlawful actions are not tolerated.” The protest group, SUPER UW, sought to pressure the university to sever ties with Boeing, a major supplier to the Israel Defense Forces. Protesters hung a banner from a second-floor window of the building, renaming it the Shaban al-Dalou Building in honor of a 19-year-old engineering student killed by an airstrike in Gaza. According to probable cause documents, the incident began when a group of protesters wearing black entered the building around 5 p.m. on May 5, 2025, and barricaded the doors with furniture.#boeing #university_of_washington #super_uw #victor_balta
King County Prosecutors charge 33 people with trespassing for UW IEB occupation The King County Prosecutor’s Office has charged 33 individuals with criminal trespass related to the occupation of the Interdisciplinary Engineering Building (IEB) at the University of Washington. The charges were filed more than 300 days after the incident in May 2025, with prosecutors declining to pursue felony charges for vandalism or property damage. The group, which called itself “Super UW,” was accused of breaking into the IEB, spray-painting the interior, and damaging new equipment. The occupation lasted several hours before law enforcement physically removed the 33 people. Prosecutors cited body camera footage and witness accounts to support the trespassing charges, stating that the defendants either entered the building unlawfully or knowingly remained there despite being given opportunities to leave. The list of accused individuals includes names such as Tayler Hart, Max Rulff, Zachary Wallaced-Wells, and others. It remains unclear how many of the charged individuals are active University of Washington students. The prosecutors emphasized that while they acknowledged the frustration over the damage to the building, they lacked sufficient evidence to prove that each defendant intentionally caused the destruction or had the intent to commit a crime. Susan Harrison, chair of the KCPAO’s Economic Crimes Unit, noted that without clear proof linking individuals to the property damage, felony charges could not be filed. Similarly, Dan Clark, chief deputy of the Criminal Division, stated that the absence of security cameras inside the IEB complicated the investigation. Lt.#university_of_washington #king_county_prosecutors #interdisciplinary_engineering_building #super_uw #tayler_hart
