Tag Archives: Palestine

Seattle Activists Block Palantir Offices In South Lake Union

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7/14/2025

Seattle activists with Jewish Voice for Peace staged a sit-in at the Palantir offices in South Lake Union to demand that Washington state sever financial ties with Palantir, accusing the tech giant of profiting from human rights abuses. “We demand that the Washington state investment board and our elected officials divest from genocide by cutting ties with Palantir,” organizers declared at the demonstration.

Speakers said Palantir’s software directly aids Israeli military operations in Gaza. “Palantir is selling surveillance technology to corporations and government, fueling fascism at home and the genocide in Gaza,” one protester said. “Palantir profits off the genocide in Gaza by providing advanced training artificial intelligence to the Israeli Government and the Israeli occupation forces. This means Palantir provides the technology to kill people…individual citizens who are starving and standing in lines trying to get aid and food for their families. More aid workers have been killed during this genocide than in all the wars of the last 30 years.”

Hossam Nasr, a former Microsoft worker who said he was fired “for organizing a vigil on campus to honor the lives of Palestinians,” spoke out about how major tech companies have become “effectively…weapons manufacturers.” Nasr, now an organizer with No Azure for Apartheid, said, “These tech companies have deepened the relationship with the genocidal Israeli military. They saw an opportunity in death and destruction and killing of Palestinians to make profits.”

Nasr singled out Palantir as “leading the charge…the most brazenly, the most explicitly, the most violently.” He added, “Their CEO is publicly saying they’re happy and proud that their technology is killing Palestinians, that their technology is being used to track and detain and kidnap our neighbors.”

He detailed how Palantir built its business by embracing government defense contracts. “Palantir said to hell with that. We are evil and we’re proud, and we’re going to partner with the government because we want to dominate, because we want to kill, because we want to achieve the government’s aims of imperialism,” Nasr said. “Their first…contracts were actually with the US government and the DOD to help them with the war in Iraq. And since then, they have deepened their partnership.”

Protesters warned that these surveillance systems now reach beyond war zones. “Most people don’t know that Palantir is here, let alone that it profits from death and surveillance,” one speaker said. Nasr pointed to Palantir’s $30 million contract with ICE, which he said is creating “a centralized database across the IRS, ICE, other government agencies…to make it easy for us to track and surveil and target people. It’s completely heinous, dystopian, Orwellian, and it is happening with our tax dollars.”

He added, “For them to identify what they claim are immigrants or refugees or whatever, they have to surveil everyone. Your data is in that system, even if you’re a law-abiding legal citizen.”

For two hours, activists blocked entrances and left just before police arrived to arrest them. Protesters pledged to keep organizing. “For far too long, these tech companies have wreaked havoc upon the world. With unity, we must pay our tribute to the Palestinian people and to all victims of US imperialism, and say no more,” they said. “We will not rest until Palestine is free from the river to the sea.”

Supporters of Israel Attempt March Through UW Encampment

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May 12, 2024

Red Square, University of Washington, Seattle WA

Less than 200 supporters of Israel, some associated with the Christian church/corporation, Pursuit Northwest, met at Red Square at the University of Washington in an rally and march intended to disrupt the UW Palestinian Solidarity encampment.

While the 1000 who were expected never appeared, those who support Israel’s occupation of Palestine came ready to instigate, with some carrying brass knuckles or a taser. The encampment remained on their side of the barricade as Israeli supporters continued to encroach. Police from the University of Washington and Washington State Troopers kept the two separate at the beginning.

As the pro Israel march was re-routed away from the encampment, instigators made their way to the sides of the UW Quad in a feeble attempt to enter the Pro-Palestine area. Anti-fascists, also known generally as “black bloc” met the group at every entrance they tried to enter, and successfully defended the camp at the barricades. Some Pro-Israel instigators got close enough to have their flags snatched, which could have been avoided had they kept their distance. A taser was used by a Pro-Israel demonstrator who was subsequently pepper sprayed for his deployment of an (in this case) offensive weapon.

Ari Hoffman, a local activist known for his distaste of homeless people and those who demand an end to genocide, made his way to each entrance, filming and shouting at Pro-Palestine demonstrators. He was followed by his children and occasionally joined by disgraced journalist Jonathan Choe. Hoffman’s American flag was stolen and despite his pleas of desperation to UW police, all he received was a business card in return.

Despite the many attempts to start fights by the Pro-Israel side, the UW encampment kept them out, and the event ended without any arrests.

More Than 1000 in Seattle Demand “Hands of Rafah” in March to Space Needle

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More than 1000 marched in protest of Israel’s targeting of Rafah. Rafah is the Southernmost region of Gaza at an area of 25 square miles, the same size as Renton, Washington. Rafah is also home to more than 1.2 million refugees, more than the population of Bothell, Seattle, and Renton, shoved into 25 square miles. The protest, while short in length, experienced rain, snow, sleet, and sunshine as it moved from Denny Park towards the ending destination at the Space Needle.

From the Falastiniyat Facebook page …”Seattle is home to major corporations, universities, politicians, and media that are supporting Israel’s genocidal occupation. But Seattle is also home to hundreds of thousands of people who firmly stand with Palestine and their struggle for liberation!

As Israel and the US threaten Rafah with invasion, the time is now to mobilize! No amount of repression and intimidation will stop us. Join us and continue to shut it down for Palestine! #shutitdown4palestine“

Seattle Protest for Palestine Shuts Down Capitol Hill Starbucks and Disrupts Westlake Christmas Tree Lighting

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November 24th, 2023

Seattle, WA

Nearly 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Starbucks Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room on Capitol Hill in Seattle to protest Starbucks and their alleged* support of Israel. After disrupting the full coffee business, customers were told to exit through side doors, all entrances were locked and workers were sent home through alley exits.

The protest then moved to Westlake Park by marching down Pine St. via Melrose Ave. Upon entering the area of the holiday event, a circle was formed in the street after meeting up with another group of pro-Palestine protestors. Using banners and the bike brigade to create space, the area between the Westlake stage and the tree became a protest area. Some tables were overturned as activists took over the stage to hold a banner.  Despite some yelling from those there to see a tree with lights, there was little interaction between them and those protesting for human lives.

Activists took turns speaking about the atrocities in Palestine, some protestors released balloons with signs reading “Merry Genocide”, “Free Palestine”, and “Let Gaza Live”, and eventually the tree was lit, and the crowds began leaving.

*(A key element of Starbucks’ potential backing for Israel is found in its most prominent private shareholder, Howard Schultz. Recognized for his unwavering advocacy of Zionism, Schultz possesses a significant ownership stake in Starbucks and has actively endorsed Israel’s economic endeavors. Particularly noteworthy is Schultz’s high-profile investment of $1.7 billion in an Israeli cybersecurity startup named Wiz. This financial commitment underscores Schultz’s dedication to fostering Israel’s economic prosperity and technological progress, raising inquiries about Starbucks’ implicit alignment with Israeli interests.). https://fortune.com/2021/04/07/wiz-howard-schultz-investment-fundraising-cybersecurity-startups-starbucks-ceo/

According to Reuters, “Asked for comment, Starbucks referred to a statement on its website about its operations in the Middle East that was updated in October. The statement said the company was a non-political organisation and dismissed rumours that it had provided support to the Israeli government or army. Starbucks, which earlier this month reported record revenues for the fourth quarter, said it had nothing further to share on its business.” https://www.reuters.com/business/retail-consumer/boycott-campaigns-over-gaza-war-hit-western-brands-some-arab-countries-2023-11-22/

Seattle Activists Target Boeing In Protest Of Military Aid to Israel

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November 8th, 2023

Tukwila, WA

Some Pro-Palestinian organizations have called for an International Day of Action on Wednesday, November 8th 2023. The intent nationwide is to focus on “weapons manufacturing facilities” to include Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Elbit Systems, Amazon, HP and Microsoft.

Nearly 200 activists showed up at the Boeing Military Delivery Center in protest of Boeing’s role as a supplier of military hardware to Israel. Boeing is responsible for fast tracking US made “GPS Guidance Bomb Kits” to Israel which is currently responsible for the deaths of over 10,000 Palestinian civilians. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-10-18/boeing-accelerates-delivery-of-up-to-1-800-gps-guidance-bomb-kits-to-israel#xj4y7vzkg

From @resist.seattle on Instagram “Every year, U.S. war profiteers — Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Raytheon and Elbit Systems — fuel violence here and abroad by arming violent regimes in Israel, the Philippines, and local police departments across the United States. We choose to fight back. We call for an end to the genocidal siege on Palestine.”

Palestine Solidarity March and “Die In” On Steps of Capitol Building In Olympia

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November 4th, 2023

Olympia, Washington

Thousands joined in a march from Heritage Park to the Capitol building in Olympia, WA in solidarity with pro Palestine demonstrations globally. Hundreds of thousands of people around the world joined in solidarity with the Palestinian people who are being killed and injured in attacks by Israel.

After reaching the Capitol building, hundreds participated in a “die in”, holding papers with the names and photos of people killed by Israeli bombs and bullets, and speaking their names out loud.

Capitol and Olympia police were present but there were no arrests or major confrontations.

Activists with Jewish Voice for Peace shut down Seattle Federal Building

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November 3rd, 2023

Seattle, Washington

In a demand that Senator Patty Murray call for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, hundreds of activists with Jewish Voice for Peace and their allies shut down the Henry M. Jackson Federal building at 8am on November 3rd, 2023.

Activists blocked entrances on 1st Ave and 2nd Ave while one activist made it to the awning, hanging a banner demanding Senator Patty Murray call for a ceasefire.

Homeland Security and Federal Police pushed down several activists while attempting to remove the ladder used, injuring at least two. No arrests were made.

 
From the Jewish Voice for Peace – Seattle Facebook page…
“In the last three weeks, over 9,000 Palestinians and 1,400 Israelis have been killed. Over 3000 children have been killed in Gaza. This week, the Israeli military has hit Gaza’s only hospital for cancer patients. They struck Gaza’s largest refugee camp, killing 100 people and burying others under rubble. Israeli warplanes have flattened entire neighborhoods. Shell-shocked children are left to search for their parents under the rubble. Millions of Palestinians have once again been made refugees, bombed as they tried to flee. Surgeons are operating by the light of their cellphones, increasingly without anesthesia. Over half the hospitals have been forced to shut down. In the West Bank, 120 Palestinians have been killed since the beginning of the war. Jewish settlers are burning down houses with families in them after they come with warning notes for the Palestinians who have not yet fled to do so immediately or they will be killed. Israel has doubled the number of Palestinian prisoners to 10,000 in the last two weeks. Every bomb dropped on Gaza threatens the lives of 2.2 million Palestinians in Gaza and 200 Israeli hostages. But the Israeli government has made it clear that they do not value life and will not negotiate, as it would rather continue its genocidal attack against Palestinians.
In Seattle, we need to demand that Senator Murray call for a CEASEFIRE NOW. We cannot stand for business as usual. We cannot stand by as a genocide is carried out in our names.
Join Jews and ALL people of conscience to cry out as loudly as we can: Ceasefire now to save lives. End the siege on Gaza. End Israeli apartheid. B’tselem Elohim: Every life is precious.”