UW ends suspensions for Antifa activist students who occupied campus building, caused $1 million damages

The University of Washington has concluded its disciplinary process and ended suspensions for students involved in the violent takeover and vandalism of a newly opened engineering building that caused more than $1 million in damage. But nine months after dozens of people were arrested, no one has been charged with a crime.

In May, pro-Hamas and Antifa activists streamed their occupation of the building on social media. Local media also broadcast the occupation live. Police later cleared the site and arrested 34 people. The King County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office told The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI that it is still waiting on additional information from UW Police before any charging decision can be made.

Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return (SUPER UW), a former student group, claimed responsibility for the occupation. The group has been linked to the violent campus Gaza encampment in 2024 and was previously suspended following a 2024 occupation of the Husky Union Building that caused more than $50,000 in damage. After the engineering building incident, UW spokesperson Victor Balta said in a written statement to The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI, “The facts are that the student conduct hearing process has been completed and the students have been found responsible for violations of the student conduct code and held accountable.”

Balta added, “The students were out of class and banned from campus for three quarters. Suspensions also resulted in forfeiture of tuition paid or repayment of tuition for anyone who must remain in good standing in order to receive financial aid, such as tuition exemption grants for graduate students or work study. Once a suspension is concluded, any outstanding balances due must be paid in order to be eligible for re-enrollment. Requests to waive these payments or to refund tuition that has already been paid have been denied. We are committed to ongoing transparency and accountability in our expectations for the members of our community, which will be facilitated by the previously announced review of our student conduct process. UWPD is still working with the King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office on criminal charges.”

SUPER UW is now fundraising to cover tuition and outstanding balances for the students.

UW is also one of 60 universities under investigation by the Trump administration’s Department of Education Office for Civil Rights (OCR). The schools received a letter warning of potential enforcement actions if they do not meet their obligations under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, including protecting Jewish students’ uninterrupted access to campus facilities and educational opportunities. The universities on the list are being investigated for Title VI violations related to antisemitic harassment and discrimination.

UW receives approximately $1.37 billion in federal funding. The university has also drawn criticism over its handling of antisemitism on campus following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel, including receiving a “D” grade from the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) in a report card evaluating 135 US schools.