BELLINGHAM, WA (MyBellinghamNow.com) – A pro-Palestinian student encampment has formed at Western Washington University amid similar protests on campuses across the country.

The group of about 20 tents was set up around 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 14, on the lawn next to Old Main. There were roughly 40-50 people on the lawn by noon.

Organizers of the protest said in a statement that this encampment is the most recent escalation in a years-long effort to get Western Washington University (WWU) to divest from weapons manufacturers, specifically Boeing.

Members of the Arab Student Association and Jewish Voice for Peace chapter have been meeting with WWU president Sabah Randhawa over the past few weeks. They presented him with a list of demands on May 3 that he did not agree to, which is why organizers say they formed the encampment.

Protesters from different groups at Western Washington University set their tents up on the lawn in front of Old Main. The protesters set up their tents early on May 14, 2024. Photographer: Sam Kristofferson

The demands include full financial disclosure of the school’s investments that support Israel and termination of all those contracts. That includes cutting ties with Boeing, Sabra Hummus, Hewlett-Packard and all forms of cooperation with Israeli academic institutions.

WWU President Sabah Randhawa said in a statement that he continues to be “deeply moved” by the concerns expressed by students and faculty for the citizens impacted by the war in Gaza. He added that he will continue to talk with the student groups about their concerns and how the school can better respond to them.

Randhawa also says the school is monitoring the situation closely to ensure the protest remains peaceful.