SEATTLE, WA – The U.S. Departments of Education, Health and Human Services, and the U.S. General Services Administration have announced a review of “recent incidents of anti-Semitic violence at the University of Washington and its affiliates.”
“The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism appreciates the university’s strong statement condemning last night’s violence and applauds the quick action by law enforcement officers to remove violent criminals from the university campus. While these are good first steps, the university must do more to deter future violence and guarantee that Jewish students have a safe and productive learning environment. The Task Force expects the institution to follow up with enforcement actions and policy changes that are clearly necessary to prevent these uprisings moving forward,” says a joint statement from the agencies.
On Monday evening, protesters temporarily occupied the UW Interdisciplinary Engineering Building and created a dangerous environment in and around the building, according to the institution. As law enforcement from several agencies assembled to respond, individuals 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. UW Police worked with law enforcement partners to contain the situation and began clearing the area outside the building around 10:30 p.m. before moving into the building to clear it at 11 p.m. About 30 individuals who occupied the building were arrested and charges of trespassing, property destruction and disorderly conduct, and conspiracy to commit all three, and were referred to the King County Prosecutor’s Office. Any students identified as being involved were also being referred to the Student Conduct Office.
“Pro-terror protestors demanded that the university divest from Boeing due to the company’s military contracts linked to the Gaza conflict. The ‘protestors’ actions included barricading and occupying an engineering building on campus for hours, setting property on fire, and shouting death threats to law enforcement,” says the statement.
“The violence and chaos that ensued on University of Washington’s campus is yet another horrifying display of the antisemitic harassment and lawlessness which has characterized many of our nation’s elite campuses over the last several years. This destructive behavior is unacceptable,” said U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “The Task Force will not allow these so-called ‘protesters’ to disrupt campus life and deprive students, especially Jewish students who live in fear on campus, of their equal opportunity protections and civil rights.”
“No institution that tolerates violence, harassment, or the open intimidation of Jewish students should expect to receive billions in taxpayer support,” said HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “This isn’t about politics—it’s about whether a federally funded university is upholding the law, protecting civil rights, and fostering a safe environment for all students.”
“The despicable events that occurred at the University of Washington are another disturbing example of how institutions are failing to protect their communities from radical and dangerous harassment. We are thankful to local law enforcement for responding; that doesn’t absolve the university for allowing the ground to grow fertile for anti-Semitism,” said GSA Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner and Task Force Member Josh Gruenbaum. “The Task Force has a clear mandate-to ensure institutions that receive federal funds are fully complying with civil rights laws-we will use every tool available to fulfill that mandate.”
