XPost: or.politics, seattle.politics, alt.law-enforcement
XPost: soc.history.war.misc, ca.politics

Even the long time liberal Seattle Times editorial staff,
liberal Attorney General Nick Brown agree that we need to
prosecute these criminal protestors.

from https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/editorials/lesson-in-accountability-is-long-overdue-for-uw-vandals/

Lesson in accountability is long overdue for UW vandals
May 7, 2025 at 3:05 pm
Thirty-one protesters were arrested at the University of Washington in
Seattle on Monday, May 5, 2025, after occupying an engineering building, setting fires and damaging four manufacturing machines, one of which is pictured, each valued at $35,000 to $120,000. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle
Times)
A window remains shattered inside of the Interdisciplinary Engineering
Building on UW’s campus after pro-Palestinian protesters occupied the building. (Nick Wagner / The Seattle Times)

1 of 2 | Thirty-one protesters were arrested at the University of
Washington in Seattle on Monday, May 5, 2025, after occupying an
engineering building, setting fires and damaging four manufacturing
machines, one of which is pictured,... (Nick Wagner / The Seattle
Times)More
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By The Seattle Times editorial board
It is yet another moment crying out for accountability.

Thirty-one protesters were arrested at the University of Washington on
Monday after occupying an engineering building, setting fires and
damaging four manufacturing machines, each valued at $35,000 to $120,000.

The point, apparently, was to demand the UW cut ties with Boeing for its relationship with Israel and to “repurpose the building,” according to a representative of Students United for Palestinian Equality and Return
UW. The group also used the opportunity to call the Oct. 7 attacks
against Israel a “heroic victory.”

Enough.

Since the war in Gaza began in 2023, campus has been roiled with
protests, antisemitic graffiti and property destruction.

After the incident this week, The Times editorial board asked the UW
whether any student faced discipline for property damage associated with
a takeover of President Ana Mari Cauce’s office in 2023; more than
$14,000 of damage to the Husky Union Building in 2024; or last year’s
campus encampment that devolved into threats against Jewish students and messages such as “kill your local colonizer” scrawled on campus buildings.

The UW did not respond. Too bad it didn’t take the opportunity to set
the record straight.

Protesters wear masks, and, so far, that has been enough to stymie investigations that could lead to personal culpability. But now,
finally, there have been arrests.

ACharges are expected to be filed by the King County Prosecuting
Attorney’s Office.

“We are working with law enforcement and through our own disciplinary processes to ensure those responsible face appropriate consequences for
their actions,” said Cauce in a blog post.

The community is watching. This university’s process must be transparent
and meaningful.

And what of the property damage the protesters caused? At a time when UW
is facing a difficult financial situation and contemplating widespread
cuts, who is going to pay? Taxpayers? Or should engineering students
simply go without because a handful of black-clad vandals wanted to make
a statement?

The problem for police and prosecutors is proving that specific
individuals caused specific damage. After a conviction, a judge could
impose restitution. It may likely never be paid, but a lien on someone’s credit is a sobering consideration.

When the defendants wear masks, it’s hard to know who did what. Thus,
they may not face charges stiffer than misdemeanors for criminal
trespass. Too bad.

“I fully and always support people’s right to protest and to express
their views. Indeed it is foundational to our democracy,” said Attorney General Nick Brown in a statement, noting that UW is a client of the
agency. “But everyone has a right to be safe on campus and UW must
enforce the law.”

Enforce the law. So far, protesters have been able to work the system.
Now the system must work, or UW will experience a crisis of community confidence that may be much more costly than damaged machines.

The Seattle Times editorial board: members are editorial page editor
Kate Riley, Frank A. Blethen, Melissa Davis, Josh Farley, Alex Fryer,
Claudia Rowe, Carlton Winfrey and William K. Blethen (emeritus)

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