TPUSA chapter at UW slams university for allowing 'antisemitic and unsafe' Gaza camps on campus

The Turning Point USA chapter of the University of Washington is demanding a “comprehensive review and assessment” of the school’s decision-making process regarding violent anti-Israel activists on campus that culminated in a 3-week Gaza camp in the Quad and the administration capitulating to many of the occupiers demands. 

According to a letter sent to UW President Ana Mari Cauce and other administrators obtained by the Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, the school’s TPUSA chapter “is deeply concerned about the handling by the University of Washington of the recent ‘encampment’ and other unlawful activities that created and sustained an antisemitic and unsafe environment on campus for multiple weeks.” 

“United Front for Palestinian Liberation, which consisted of registered student organizations, did not only cause property damage to the University properties and equipment intended to serve the interest of students, but also endangered the health and safety of students, especially Jewish, Israeli, or Zionist students.” 

TPUSA stated in the letter sent on Wednesday, “Over the three weeks, there were multiple acts of violence reported to the University of Washington Police Department, including an assault against the crew of a TPUSA-affiliated journalist.” 

“Despite the hazard to safety and the impact on the normal operation of the University including the event hosted by Turning Point USA, the University chose to let the illegal occupation continue for multiple weeks without enforcing existing laws.” 

The students of the TPUSA chapter noted that the “series of criminal activities by the anti-Israel activists began before the encampment,” and their actions included illegally occupying and vandalizing the Husky Union Building in April. 

According to a police report obtained by the Ari Hoffman Show, UW Police chose not to apprehend any of the trespassers still occupying the building when officers arrived. Over $50,000 in damage was done to the building including tagging, ripping fixtures out of walls, vandalizing furniture, tampering with security cameras, and destroying students’ artwork. 

TPUSA UW accused the university of being “aware of the unsafe nature of the illegal encampment.” 

Another police report obtained by the Ari Hoffman Show revealed that the Gaza camp was so unsafe that armed police officers were ordered by UWPD not to enter the Quad due to “officer safety concerns.” 

Yet, the University downplayed the safety risks to the public, and according to TPUSA UW, “did not take measures to ensure that the students have a safe campus free from violations of their rights, thus exposing students to an antisemitic and unsafe environment for an extended period of time.” 

The chapter added in the letter, “The University instead chose to negotiate with an obscure group with a known history of criminal acts, resulting in a resolution that goes against the deeply held opinions of many students without listening to their perspectives.” 

TPUSA UW students are demanding a “comprehensive review and assessment process of the University’s handling of unlawful actions by anti-Israel activists on campus, including those in the Quad and the Husky Union Building,” and that the results of the investigation be made public in a timely manner. 

Additionally, the students demanded that UW employees “who were responsible for the series of decision-making processes, including the administration, [be] held responsible according to the findings.” 

TPUSA told the Ari Hoffman Show that the university has yet to respond. UW has been under investigation by the US Department of Education for possible Title VI violations of the Civil Rights Act, according to InsideHigherEd. 

UW has been criticized for not dealing with antisemitism on campus and emboldening anti-Israel students, faculty, and activists since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7. 

The Gaza camp was the latest escalation. During the three-week occupation of the quad, Israeli flags were stolen from students and destroyed, antisemitic slurs were hurled at Jewish students, buildings were vandalized with antisemitic and anti-cop graffiti, and vigils and rallies were held for terrorists. Additionally, journalists were harassed and assaulted. Local Democrats, media outlets, and school administrators tried to downplay the encampment as "peaceful." 

On Monday, the violent Gaza camp at UW finally disbanded, with activists leaving trash, graffiti, a damaged walkway, and ruined grass in the Quad. 

One professor told the Ari Hoffman Show that the damage was in the "hundreds of thousands of dollars."