The president of Portland State University in Oregon said he is calling on the city’s police to remove anti-Israel “trespassers” who have caused “property damage” to the campus’ main library.
PSU President Ann Cudd said anti-Israel demonstrations on campus intensified on Monday, with “several groups of individuals breaking into Miller Library, PSU’s main library, and entering the building” while “other protesters… “The suspect remained outside the building and blocked access.”
“Portland State University supports free speech. That’s what we’re all about. And we know that this issue, the war in Gaza, is important to many people in our community. We know, and emotions are running high. Many feel the injustice is too great to ignore,” Cudd said. “We understand that, but we cannot condone or excuse trespassing. We cannot condone the property damage that occurred in the PSU library.”
“PSU is currently requesting the assistance of the Portland Police Bureau to remove the intruder from the library,” she added. Police estimate there are currently 50 to 75 people inside the building.
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The president of Portland State University said protesters are currently occupying the university’s main library and causing “property damage.” (KPTV)
Mr Cudd said graffiti had been spray-painted “all over the front of the library” and “everything that’s written on the library is pretty vile and pretty inappropriate”.
“The intrusion into the library and the fortification at the library makes this a criminal incident that is no longer considered public order or free speech and requires a different type of response,” the Portland Police Department said in a statement. Ta. Bob Day said.
Day said police are working with the PSU and its law enforcement agencies to “develop a plan to best approach the situation with the hope of de-escalating and resolving the situation without arrest or use of force of any kind.” “I have,” he added.
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Portland State University President Ann Cudd said protesters were blocking the entrance to Miller Library on the campus in Portland, Oregon. (KPTV)
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt said he expects the protesters to be charged with felonies, including robbery and possible felonies and other misdemeanors.
“Our educational institutions should be safe spaces, allowing students and campuses to function without threat or fear of violence,” he said.
Portland State University President Ann Cudd said the demonstrations began last week and escalated at PSU on Monday, April 29. (KPTV)
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Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler also slammed the protesters’ actions, saying, “I want the people in the library to hear this: the university, the city, the county, the prosecutor’s office, the police, we all stand together. “We have no intention of uniting in the future,” he said. Please allow criminal vandalism and violence to become commonplace in our cities. ”
