UW pro-Palestinian activists take their demands to the university's Board of Regents

After more than a week of rallies, chants, and a growing tent encampment, student protesters at the University of Washington spoke directly to the school’s Board of Regents on Thursday to emphasize their demands surrounding Israel's war in Gaza.

Students who have been staying at the pro-Palestinian tent camp on the campus Quad made the short walk to Dempsey Hall on Thursday where the university’s Board of Regents were set to meet at noon.

Some carried carried signs that read, “STOP KILLING INNOCENT PEOPLE,” as they called out chants in support of people living in Gaza. Just before twelve, dozens of students made their way up to the third floor to face the school’s board.

Organizers of the so-called “Liberated Zone” shared their demands, which include calls for the University to cut business ties with Boeing, divest from business relations with Israel, and protect students from police and counterprotesters.

The Associated Students of the University of Washington passed a resolution this week outlining those demands.

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“I really hope that they recognize the power of this movement and that they meet the demands because 88% voted yes on this resolution to the ASUW,” said first-year law student Yoseph Ghazal, who is Palestinian and a senator in the Associated Students of the University of Washington. “It's only a matter of time before the regents come to terms with the fact that the community wants this and that they have to respond appropriately to that.”

During the public comment period of Thursday's meeting, board members thanked students for attending but did not directly respond to their demands.

UW Bothell professor Dan Berger spoke at the rally ahead of the meeting. He’s one of several faculty members who have joined in the protest over the past week.

Berger said he was there to, “protect the mission of the university and the values of the University. And also to protect the students and workers who make the university possible.” He said he's seen the violence at other schools in the country, like UCLA and Columbia University, and hopes UW does not clear out the tent camp with police.

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“When the police come, that is what initiates violence,” Berger said.

So far, UW police have not removed students.

Ghazal reiterated calls for peace, telling the board he was not there to be an adversary.

“I want to uphold the university’s vision and what is morally right,” Ghazal said. So I ask — in fact I plead as a Palestinian — that you all choose to be on the right side of history.”