Portland State University library occupation may soon spark police action

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – As tents remain pitched at the Portland State University library with several occupants inside the building, it’s a matter of time before police make their next move.

On Monday, several protestors calling for a ceasefire in Gaza formed an encampment on campus, with most leaving before 7 p.m. However, some protesters remained in what they called the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” outside the library.

But when a group of around 75 people began to occupy the inside of the building, city officials said the resulting property damage “crossed the line into criminal behavior.” District Attorney Mike Schmidt said his office will prosecute the cases as they come and “felony charges could be filed.”

As a result, the school remained closed through Tuesday and the PSU Board of Trustees held an emergency meeting which functioned as an executive session – meaning reporters could listen but not report specifics about what was said.

Board President Ann Cudd briefed the board on the general timeline of the protest and its subsequent events.

Cudd also posted the following message to students that addressed those who remain inside the campus library:

I have … heard concerns about how PSU responds to individuals engaged in protest during this fraught time and on this point I want to be absolutely clear. No one involved in a protest has been sanctioned for the content of their message. PSU has always been and will remain a place where free speech and academic freedom are treasured.

Our focus is on drawing a bright line between protecting freedom of speech and activities including discrimination, harassment, intimidation, property damage and assault. We have reasonable time, place and manner restrictions in place — these are community standards so that our university can continue to be a place for learning, teaching, working and living. We will continue to enforce our policies evenly for all campus events, including protest, and expect all of our campus community members to conduct themselves in ways that follow student and professional codes of conduct. This includes following all anti-discrimination and anti-harassment policies.

On Monday, Cudd was among Portland city leaders who held a late-night news conference, during which the Portland police chief, mayor, and district attorney gathered to tell occupiers to leave the building.

"Let me be clear: Portland State University supports free speech and academic freedom, including protest. The war in Gaza holds immense significance to many in our community," Cudd said in a second message shared Tuesday afternoon. "However, I cannot condone or excuse criminal activity that places students and PSU community members at risk. Nor will I condone the property damage that has taken place at PSU’s library and other buildings."

Wednesday is May Day, otherwise known as International Workers Day – a common day for protests every year. While some schools across the country have begun to cancel their graduation ceremonies, PSU will not have a ceremony until mid-June.

Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops.