Protesters have been camped out around the Portland State University library for several days. Over the weekend the situation escalated as the protesters (not all of whom are students) began blocking off the entrance to the library. By Monday, school administrators asked the protesters to leave.
After a pro-Palestinian protest sprouted at Portland State University last week — joining scores of universities across the country — school officials on Monday asked protesters to leave.
A few dozen people had barricaded the front steps of Portland State University’s Branford Price Millar Library, stretching orange construction fencing, tarps, signs, wires and empty gallon water cans to block the entrance...
“Since the weekend, the encampment has grown and has resulted in greater property damage and intimidation,” wrote school spokesperson Katy Swordfisk. “Given growing health and safety risk to our campus community and interference with university operations, PSU is asking the protesters to vacate the library portico.”
— Karpe Fucking Diem (@KarpeFuckinDiem) April 29, 2024
— Karpe Fucking Diem (@KarpeFuckinDiem) April 29, 2024
Instead of clearing out, the protesters once again escalated the situation by breaking into the library and occupying it. PSU's president Ann Cudd held a press conference with Portland Mayor Wheeler and the police late last night:
PSU President Ann Cudd said that following a peaceful rally on campus Monday afternoon, a "group of individuals" broke into the Millar Library at Portland State University on Monday night, and some were blocking access to the library. Portland Police Chief Bob Day estimated that 50 to 75 people broke into the library.
Cudd said the university asked Portland police to remove the trespassers from the library. Police did not give a timeline when that would happen and asked protesters to leave peacefully...
"Portland State University supports free speech. That's what we're all about. And we know that this issue, the war in Gaza, is important to many individuals in our community. Emotions are running high. Many feel that the injustices are just too large to ignore, and I understand this, but I cannot condone or excuse breaking and entering. I cannot condone the property damage that has taken place at PSU's library," Cudd said. "I've proven that I'm willing to entertain debate and discuss the demands of the protesters, but I would ask them now to choose to engage civilly on these issues rather than to resort to violence and property damage."
Cudd said PSU campus public safety officers were unable to enter the building to apprehend individuals who broke into the building due to the size of the crowd. PSU leadership then asked for help from Portland police to remove the protesters. During the news conference, Cudd asked students inside the library to leave peacefully before police get involved.
Perhaps the biggest surprise last night was hearing DA MIke Schmidt vow to prosecute those who occupied the library:
Schmidt said his office planned to prosecute people who were arrested for the occupation.
“I expect that felony charges could be filed depending on what evidence we gather, including burglary and felony, criminal mischief along with other potential misdemeanors,” Schmidt said...
“If you’re in the library right now, it would be a good time to leave and go home and continue this conversation in a civil matter,” Schmidt said.
I'll believe it when I see it. My guess is the police will eventually move in and all of the occupiers will claim they were just there picking up a book. DA Schmidt will decide he lacks sufficient evidence and will drop all the charges. I guess we'll see.
As of this morning, no effort had been made to arrest the protesters. The campus was closed this morning in light of the new situation.
PSU Campus is CLOSED Tuesday 4/30 due to ongoing incident at library. Please check your at https://t.co/CTOqdmDiZm email or other registered modes for updates and guidance.
— Portland State University (@Portland_State) April 30, 2024
And of course Jewish students don't feel comfortable sharing space with this mob.
A Jewish student, who spoke to us off-camera out of concern for his safety, said he felt scared to be on campus because of protesters writing messages like, “From the river to the sea,” and holding up Anti-Zionist flags. He said he felt that the comments were calling for the erasure of Israel.
Police may want to get involved before they set fire to the place. In less than 24 hours they seem to have done quite a lot of damage. Here's a view of the outside.
Students made Portland State look like Portland. pic.twitter.com/zz1wFeGcuH
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) April 30, 2024
This one shows the entrance and some of the damage inside.
In Portland: PSU Library is currently Taken Over by Antifa Militia! pic.twitter.com/bxKSQpuhUx
— Brandon M. Farley (Portland Video Journalist) (@TheRealFarley) April 30, 2024
What are the police waiting for?
Violent Portland antifa militant John Hacker is one the people allowed close to the @Portland_State Antifa encampment for Gaza where violent extremists have taken over the main library, renamed it & are destroying it floor by floor. "161" is written all over the library windows,… pic.twitter.com/dWkY8TkRGT
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) April 30, 2024
While they think about maybe doing something eventually, the damage is spreading.
Portland, Ore. — As @Portland_State’s president allows the Antifa encampment for Gaza to grow at the library, the militants have begun vandalizing it and the surrounding building. The library has also closed. pic.twitter.com/0yORKPTjsF
— Andy Ngô 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) April 30, 2024
There's no upside to trying to deal reasonably with antifa protesters who are used to getting away with this sort of thing. Arrest everyone inside and charge them all with breaking and entering and trespassing. The longer they wait the worse this is going to be.
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