UW’s ‘W’ sign besmirched with red paint by pro-Palestinian protesters
May 7, 2024, 7:53 AM | Updated: 12:34 pm
The University of Washington (UW) sign, located at the intersection of NE 45th Street and Memorial Way NE, has been covered in red paint in an apparent act of pro-Palestinian protest.
Paint beneath the sign appeared to read “UW funded genocide” with red paint dripping from the sign eventually covering most of the letters. Tags on pillars beside it read “From the river” and “To the sea.”
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Maintenance crews told KIRO Newsradio they saw it when driving into work this morning. One worker said he was exhausted at the consistency of politically motivated graffiti, claiming responding to exact incidents is tiring because “there’s just going to be more.”
UW’s ‘W’ sign has been covered in red paint in an apparent act of pro-Palestinian protest.
One maintenance worker said he was exhausted at the consistency of politically motivated graffiti, claiming responding to exact incidents is tiring because “there’s just going to be more.” pic.twitter.com/1lDWWUtdRy
— MyNorthwest (@Mynorthwest) May 7, 2024
While tags on the signs indicate a pro-Palestinian message, it remains unknown at this time who defaced the large “W” at one of the campus’ entrances.
Protesters have continued to demand that the university should cut all ties with Israel and companies supporting the Israel Defense Forces — including Boeing — but their demands have been largely met with stonewall opposition as the university refuses to change its position. University of Washington President Ana Mari Cauce doubled down on this sentiment back in February.
“Boeing’s support for UW in time, talent and funding cannot be replaced by other endowment sources, nor would we choose to sever our relationship if they could be,” she wrote in an email to individuals and groups protesting violence against Palestinians, according to The Seattle Times.
Boeing has donated more than $100 million to the UW since 1917, according to The Seattle Times. The company also employs thousands of UW graduates, while the name “Boeing” can be found throughout the campus including auditoriums, research centers and, most obviously, the William E. Boeing Department of Aeronautics & Astronautics.
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The university has declined to comment on the situation. KIRO Newsradio has additionally reached out to the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and UW Police for more information.
This is a developing story, check back for updates
Contributing: Frank Sumrall, MyNorthwest
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