UW Sent Police and Spies to Harass and Intimidate Youth

Names in this article have been changed for students' safety

At a student demonstration against UW’s attempt to build $300k of anti-homeless infrastructure, the UW sent police and undercover spies to harass and intimidate students and youth community members.

Recently, the University of Washington’s Transportation Services department has proposed to allocate $300k to anti-homeless infrastructure. Students organized to show solidarity with the unhoused community at a demonstration last Wednesday.

Just before the demonstration started, two community members were sitting on a bench on Campus Parkway, when a cop approached them and began to pry with questions about the details of the demonstration. When these students didn’t know the answers, he pushed further, making the students feel uncomfortable and unsafe.

When interviewed, Terry, a second-year student, shared, “I was personally harassed by police in the past. UW and the UWPD made me feel very uncomfortable and powerless, bringing back negative memories."

"He asked us for personal information, like whether we were students and what our majors were. UWPD, if it wanted, could figure all that out about us, not to mention our names and emails and anything else. They don’t ask because they need those answers, but to pose as if they care about us when they don’t."-Dylan, a student in Computer Science, said.

Adding insult to injury, UW later sent a person dressed in a black hoodie to stand near the crowd and surveil the students and youth organizers.

“When I arrived at the event, I saw a figure standing behind the students near the bushes.”  -Thomas, a Graduate student, said. “When I pointed towards the figure, they ran away. Towards the end of the event, I saw this person peering down at us through the window of Anne Eskridge's office. I sorta feel violated knowing that UW was surveilling my friends and I.”

Shortly after that, it became clear that this person was sent to spy on students. This person was later seen inside the University Transportation Services office briefing Director of Transportation Services, Anne Eskridge, about the demonstrators.

“I was confused but sadly not surprised by this” - Cody, a Junior in the College of Engineering, said. “How can the UW claim to support diversity, equity, and inclusion when they use their resources to harass and spy on students fighting for a better world?”

After demonstrators directly called out Anne Eskridge on the megaphone for being non-responsive to student concerns, she proceeded to open her window and yell down, “we are in an all staff meeting, we can hear you, and we’ll be right down.” Anne was later seen in her office on her computer alone. Student demonstrators waited 45 more minutes. No staff members came down.