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PHOTO ESSAY | University of Washington's 'Popular University of Gaza' Encampment Ends After Monthlong Protest

Editor

Photos by Susan Fried and Maeve Smith

An encampment protesting the Israel-Hamas war at the University of Washington ended peacefully Monday, May 20, as the "Popular University for Gaza," part of a national movement on college campuses, broke camp.

Left behind were patches of discolored grass and spray-painted walls decrying Israel's bombing campaign on Gaza in reaction to Hamas' Oct. 7 attack in Israel and calls for a free Palestinian state.

The encampment disbanded by 3 p.m. Monday, and this came only after the University agreed to a series of concessions, including a process for reviewing divestment requests for companies that do business with the state of Israel; enhancing ongoing efforts to address Islamophobia; seeking displaced Gazan students for UW "including waiving tuition for at least 20 Gazan students to complete their studies"; deepening their expertise in the scholarship of Palestine; and a promise not to issue any citations for camping on campus.

A flag supporting a 'Free Palestine' is planted at the former encampment as protesters and mutual aid workers pack up. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Protesters breaking camp on Monday, May 20, 2024, at the UW Quad as students go to class. (Photo: Susan Fried)
Mutual aid workers assisting encampment participants in packing up tents, food, and other supplies on Monday, May 20. (Photo: Maeve Smith)
Debris from the UW encampment sitting outside the Art Building waiting to be loaded onto a truck. Protesters used makeshift garbage cans as shields when counterprotesters showed up on campus. Graffiti spray-painted during the encampment sits behind the pile reading 'Solidarity Forever.' (Photo: Maeve Smith)
Prayer rugs sitting on an empty tarp in the UW Encampment on Monday, May 20. (Photo: Maeve Smith)
Graffiti left behind in the wake of the monthlong encampment protest. (Photo: Susan Fried)

Susan Fried is a 40-year veteran photographer. Her early career included weddings, portraits, and commercial work — plus, she's been The Skanner News' Seattle photographer for 25 years. Her images have appeared in the University of Washington's The Daily, The Seattle Globalist, Crosscut, and many more.She's been an Emerald contributor since 2015. Follow her on Instagram @fried.susan.

Maeve Smith is a senior studying journalism and photo/media at the University of Washington. A staff photographer for The Daily, she enjoys photographing everything from arts and culture to community tensions and protests.

📸 Featured Image: Only a few tents remain on the University of Washington Quad as a pro-Palestine protest encampment ended Monday, May 20. (Photo: Susan Fried)

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