PSU library cleared of protesters a 2nd time; 8 more arrested
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Hours after Portland police cleared an occupied library at Portland State University amid protests calling for a Gaza ceasefire, protesters re-entered the building early Thursday evening.
But this time the protesters didn't last long before they were cleared out again.
Just before 7 p.m., Portland Police Bureau announced that anyone "who breached fencing and building security measures at Millar Library" are now considered under arrest for second-degree trespass, according to a communication PPB released on X. They said anyone resisting arrest could be subjected to use of force or further criminal charges.
Around 7:30 p.m., PPB announced on X that "officers moved back into the library" and arrested 7 people, and one other was arrested by PSU Campus Security.
Officials said more arrests are possible.
Police began clearing the barricade in front of the library the protesters made late Thursday afternoon. PPB also released video of the library being cleared for the second time Thursday.
As the clampdown began again, KOIN 6 News saw a small group go on a march.
By 10 p.m., the campus was quiet with just a handful of protesters still near the library.
Just after 5 p.m., KOIN 6 News crews were outside the Millar Library as reporters Brandon Thompson and Ariel Salk observed people returning to the building and taking plywood out of dumpsters out front. By 5:30 p.m. KOIN 6 camera crews saw the protesters repurposing police-placed chain-link fence barricades, taking them down briefly and then putting them back up again.
PSU confirmed that protesters had re-taken the library by 6 p.m. Thursday.
The library occupation originally began Monday night after protests first kicked off on campus late last week.
By Thursday morning at 6 a.m., Portland Police Bureau officers in riot gear began clearing out the building. As they did so, protesters could be seen running from the building, some of whom were equipped with makeshift shields made out of garbage containers. PPB announced the building was completely cleared by 10:30 a.m.
The protesters were evicted onto the street and pushed back by police, who ended up arresting 22 by 4:30 p.m. Of those 22 arrested, only 7 were PSU students, police said.
Reports also surfaced shortly after this that a person arrived at the crowd in a car, got out of the vehicle and sprayed people with either mace or bear spray.
PPB said later that seven officers were injured, with the most serious being a knee injury. The other injuries are considered minor.
KOIN 6 News will continue to follow this story.