The Portland State University (PSU) library in Oregon has been closed after anti-Israel protesters occupied and damaged the building.
Early Friday morning, PSU President Ann Cudd. toured KOIN closed the library and reported in a letter to the campus community that it was determined the library was “unsuitable for occupation,” and Cudd said officials would work to provide students with alternatives. He added that he said that Libraries are not expected to reopen for several months.
The news comes amid an ongoing war between Israel and the terrorist organization Hamas.
Video taken inside Portland State University’s Miller Library shows an alarming amount of graffiti scattered across multiple floors of the building.https://t.co/h9zdHC4E27
— KOIN News (@KOINNews) May 3, 2024
Cudd’s memo said the university endured “tremendous stress” due to the situation.
I also know that there is still a lot of hurt and anger around the protests, the ongoing violence in Gaza, and the disturbing scenes unfolding in our midst. I know that many of you will continue to protest, and I fully support your right to do so. At the same time, I expect that protesters will not threaten or harass students or other members of the community.
Journalist Andy Go reported on Friday that the protesters were Antifa and “far-left violent extremists” and said the four-day occupation was “for Gaza.”
.@Portland State The central library will be closed for several months, at least through the fall semester, after a four-day occupation by violent far-left extremists who claimed to be on behalf of Antifa and Gaza caused extensive destruction inside the city, officials said. https://t.co/tnjA7xbIRw
— Andy Ngo 🏳️🌈 (@MrAndyNgo) May 4, 2024
Portland law enforcement officers removed protesters from the library Thursday morning, KGW News reported.
Video footage showed police outside the library, where protesters had set up barricades with soccer goals, plywood and other items.
Additional video footage shows officers entering the library and encountering barricades in hallways and stairs. Protesters were scrawling messages all over the walls.
Portland police also reportedly found a cache of tools, what appeared to be improvised weapons, and DIY armor.
Portland Police Demolish Portland State University Library – May 2, 2024 pic.twitter.com/TKDnqYu1uY
— Portland Police (@PortlandPolice) May 2, 2024
As demonstrators rushed out of the building on Thursday, many were wearing bicycle helmets and masks and carrying what appeared to be large garbage cans that they used as shields.
“Stop! You are under arrest! Stop!” a police officer can be heard telling them. But when one of the protesters tried to run past the officer, he grabbed him and another officer forced him to the ground.
Bin there, stupid: Violent anti-Israel agitator charges at cop with trash can shield – hits dirt instead. https://t.co/5irk9GuBOo pic.twitter.com/oi4BX33CLw
— Fox News (@FoxNews) May 2, 2024
by message Posted On Thursday, the library detailed the damage sustained:
The Portland State University Library is more than just the Miller building and print collection. We have 49 library faculty members and over 30 student employees. We provide integrated services and access to critical resources that support teaching, learning, and research activities throughout the state of Portland and the broader community. Our Special Collections and University Archives house rare books, manuscripts, and hundreds of boxes containing more than 100 years of university and unique community history, managed in collaboration with faculty, students, and community partners. It has been.
The library building suffered damage to paint, walls, windows, doors, and offices, as well as fire protection systems, other critical safety elements, and technology such as staff and lab computers and classroom projectors. The status of the books and archives has not yet been confirmed. It will take some time to assess the damage and loss, clean up and make the building safe for staff to access. At this time, it is difficult to know when we will be able to reopen to the community.
According to KPTV, Portland Police announced Thursday that officers arrested 30 people.
However, only six of them were PSU students, the newspaper noted.
To learn more about anti-Israel protests on campuses across America, click here.
