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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.”
pic.twitter.com/hB1ldInXfi— Karpe Fucking Diem (@KarpeFuckinDiem) April 29, 2024
pic.twitter.com/hB1ldInXfi— 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.
