Antifa Rioters take Control of Buildings at the University of Washington in Seattle, Protesting for "Palestine"

Update 5/6/25: According to a Newsweek article (published at 10:10 AM PDT on May 6, 2025), the university has already taken a firm stance against the activists’ actions, explicitly opposing antisemitism and confirming the arrests of around 30 individuals.

The university’s statement indicates a crackdown on the protest, likely in response to the property damage (dumpster fires) and the occupation of the engineering building. Footage mentioned in the article also shows protesters clashing with police earlier in the day, indicating tension throughout the event.

5/5/25: A tense scene unfolded today at the University of Washington, where Seattle police were seen retreating as Antifa-affiliated protesters, some in black bloc attire, escalate their actions, including setting fires and occupying campus spaces, echoing the 2020 BLM protests' chaos. Jewish students were again made to feel uncomfortable during finals week.

The word "Palestine" projected on a campus building and the presence of pro-Palestinian symbols tie this unrest to ongoing global tensions over the Israel-Palestine conflict, with U.S. campuses like UW becoming focal points for activism since the 2024 Gaza protests, often involving clashes with police and counter-protesters.

Historical context from a 2024 Newsweek report reveals prior violence at UW involving Antifa and Turning Point USA, highlighting a pattern of unchecked militant activism on campus, with the university's inaction criticized in a 2025 Title IX complaint for failing to protect Jewish students during similar disruptions.

Seattle Antifa is setting fires and taking over UW campus with practically zero response from the police, bystanders said on social media.