Protests continue after PSU library cleared, at least 22 arrests

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Tensions were high near Portland State University’s campus as crowds of people remained even after police cleared out the university’s once-occupied library amid a protest calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

By late Thursday afternoon, after police pushed crowds back, protestors told KOIN 6 News a person in a car arrived, got out of their vehicle and allegedly sprayed people with either mace or bear spray.

On Thursday morning, protesters were spotted running from the library as officers started to clear out the facility, days after the occupation started.

A KOIN 6 News crew on the scene watched as Portland Police Bureau officers in riot gear arrived around 6 a.m., and by 8 a.m., watched as officers entered the library. PPB’s social media accounts noted how officers moved slowly through the Millar Library, clearing barricades as they went.

Portland police announced the library had been cleared by 10:30 a.m. Inside, police said they “found caches of tools, what appears to be improvised weapons, ball bearings, paint balloons, spray bottles of ink, and DIY armor.”

DON’T MISS: Inside the occupied Millar Library on Portland State University’s campus

At least two arrests were made before 8 a.m., and just before 9 a.m., around three dozen protesters were spotted running out of the library, busting through police barricades and into the South Park Blocks bordering PSU’s downtown campus. Authorities said they are taking lawful action and asked the public to not interrupt and interfere with them.

PPB previously said they did not plan to use tear gas on the protesters inside the building. However, chemical munitions appeared to be administered in the open air once the protest made its way outside around 10 a.m.

Authorities also noted officers were armed with 40mm less-lethal launchers, which they said are regulated by Portland police’s use-of-force policies.

Following the clearing of the library, protestors took to the street and eventually congregated around the park blocks where police had set up police tape lines around the library.

KOIN 6 reporters saw protestors pushing the police tape, knocking it down eventually resulting in police threatening to arrest anyone who pushes the lines.

Just after 11 a.m., police said that they had made 12 total arrests, and that four of those arrests were PSU students. By 4:30 p.m., police had made 22 arrests.

PPB said 7 officers were injured, the most serious being a knee injury. The others were considered to be minor.

In an interview with KOIN 6 News, Portland Police Chief Bob Day said he was saddened by the events in downtown Portland Wednesday night, after a group of demonstrators left PSU’s campus to march through downtown, leaving broken glass and graffiti in their wake.

DEVELOPING: 15 Portland police cars burned overnight at training facility

“Last night’s events downtown were really just a tragedy. It saddens me to see the unwillingness for people to exercise their First Amendment rights in a way that gets their message out but also protects the rights of others,” Chief Day said.

Governor Tina Kotek released a statement condemning the acts of vandalism at Portland State University and at the Portland police training facility early Thursday morning.

”I fully condemn the criminal actions taken Thursday morning that resulted in the burning of 15 Portland Police Bureau cars, endangering first responders and the surrounding community. I have absolutely no tolerance for discriminatory harassment, violence, or property damage. This includes the acts of vandalism seen this week at the Portland State University library and against nearby businesses. These actions are in direct opposition to Oregon values and threaten working people, families, businesses, and our community as a whole. The Oregon State Police have launched a response on the outer perimeter of Portland State University. The state is prepared to exercise the full extent of the law.”

PSU announced Thursday morning that the campus will once again be closed for the day due to the ongoing situation. They shared the following statement with the media around 9:50 a.m.

“Portland State University is grateful for the assistance of the Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police, Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Chief Bob Day for their partnership. What we’ve seen take place so far on the Park Blocks, while distressing to see, has been peaceful and calm overall, which is an immense relief. The safety and well being of our campus community is our top priority.”

A shelter-in-place that had been in place for residents of Montgomery and Blackstone Halls has been lifted. The following roads remain closed around campus:

• Southwest Broadway to Southwest 11th

• Southwest College to Southwest Mill

Thursday morning’s police activity came as the library occupation entered a fourth day. The occupation was one of many encampments at college campuses nationwide as protesters called for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Portland State campus closed again as police prepare to clear the library

On Tuesday evening, KOIN 6 News was able to go inside Millar Library, where our news crew observed graffiti, broken glass and smashed computers, along with blocked emergency exits. However, the books in the library appeared to be untouched.

In a press conference Thursday afternoon, Mayor Ted Wheeler questioned the rationale behind the decision to damage local businesses in an effort to protest the ongoing Gaza-Israel conflict.

“If you believe that by damaging a business, which frankly harms the front line employees who work in those businesses – we have reports that they were hurt, that they were traumatized,” Wheeler said. “If you believe that damaging these businesses or trashing a library on a university campus will impact events in the Middle East, you are delusional.”

Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.

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