2024 University of Washington pro-Palestinian campus occupation
| 2024 University of Washington pro-Palestinian campus occupation | |
|---|---|
| Part of 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on university campuses | |
 | |
| Date | Spring 2024 |
| Location | |
| Caused by | Israel–Hamas war |
| Goals | Divestment from Boeing |
| Resulted in | Protest disbanded after UW agreed to open a Center for Scholarship of Palestine, convene a military industrial and labor task force, and representation on a divestment committee |
In 2024, an occupation protest was started by students on the University of Washington campus, in Seattle, Washington.[1][2][3]
Background
[edit]Protests, including rallies, demonstrations, and vigils related to the Israel–Hamas war have occurred across the U.S. since the conflict's start on October 7, 2023, alongside other Israel–Hamas war protests around the world. Protests on the campus of the UW began on October 10, 2023, with a candlelight vigil held by Students Supporting Israel and attended by Jewish community leaders, mourning the deaths of Jews killed in the October 7 attack, including UW graduate Hayim Katsman, who was murdered in the Holit massacre.[4][5] Two days later, Students United for Palestinian Equality & Return held a day of resistance and protest for Palestine, filling Red Square with protesters and counter-protesters.[6]
Protests continued through the fall into 2024.[7][8] In late-April 2024, the protests escalated, following similar protest movements across the country, with protesters demanding the University of Washington divest from Boeing, a major regional employer that protesters say has aided and profited from the Israeli occupation of Gaza.[9]
Timeline
[edit]The protest began April 29 with a couple dozen protesters occupying the University of Washington Quad. The protest had been planned for the previous week but was delayed after criticisms emerged that the group had not originally included Palestinians, Muslims, and Arabs in planning.[1]
By May 3, the occupation of the Quad had grown to over 100 protesters.[10]
On May 7, Turning Point USA founder and right-wing activist Charlie Kirk visited campus. Protesters barricaded entrances and argued with Kirk's supporters.[11]
The protest disbanded on May 20 after university administration agreed to open a Center for Scholarship of Palestine, convene a military industrial and labor task force, and representation on a divestment committee.[12]
Aftermath
[edit]On October 7, 2024, a year after the start of the war, 130 people gathered at the Sylvan Grove Theater and Columns to honor the Palestinian lives lost in the war and also to mourn the death of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a UW alumna who was shot and killed by Israeli Defense Forces while peacefully protesting in the West Bank.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ a b Luna, Ruby de (2024-04-29). "University of Washington students join pro-Palestinian campus protest movement". www.kuow.org. Archived from the original on 2024-04-30. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ Pagano, Jason (2024-05-15). "UW president repeats call for pro-Palestinian camp to disband following graffiti, vandalism on campus". www.kuow.org. Archived from the original on 2024-05-16. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ Hansen, Scarlet. "Students in UW tent encampment demand divestment from Israel | Cascade PBS News". crosscut.com. Archived from the original on 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-05-17.
- ^ Schwarzwalder, Sofia; Murphy, Mary (October 10, 2023). "Candlelight vigil hosted by Students Supporting Israel". The Daily. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ "UW alum among those killed in Israel by Hamas". The Seattle Times. October 9, 2023. Archived from the original on November 15, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Schwarzwalder, Sofia; Murphy, Mary (October 12, 2023). "UW student group hosts day of resistance for Palestine, sees support and counter-protesters". The Daily. Archived from the original on May 1, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Lucas, Amrine (December 1, 2023). "Student groups continue to call for end to violence in Gaza". The Daily. Archived from the original on January 19, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Park, Julia (January 24, 2024). "Community vigil on Red Square honors Palestinians killed in Israel-Hamas war". The Daily. Archived from the original on May 2, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Luna, Ruby de (April 29, 2024). "University of Washington students join pro-Palestinian campus protest movement". KUOW. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Hansen, Scarlet (May 3, 2024). "UW pro-Gaza encampment expands to over 100, remains peaceful | Cascade PBS News". Crosscut. Cascade Public Media. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Farmer, Megan; Bowler, Matt; Turner, Tyrone; LaBerge, Beth (May 10, 2024). "Photos: Campus protests continue, police make arrests and clear encampments". NPR. Archived from the original on July 8, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Browning, Paige; Malcolm, Kim (May 17, 2024). "Pro-Palestine protesters to disband UW encampment in Seattle after university makes concessions". KUOW. Archived from the original on June 15, 2024. Retrieved July 8, 2024.
- ^ Schwarzwalder, Sofia (October 8, 2024). "Vigil honors Palestinian lives lost on one-year anniversary of Hamas' Oct. 7 attack". The Daily of the University of Washington.