Portland police officers began clearing protesters from Portland State University's library early Thursday, May 2. At least 12 people were arrested, although only four of them were immediately identified as PSU students.
Police and Oregon State Police troopers also clashed with some protesters off campus. After some of the arrests, a crowd followed a police vehicles onto Southwest Broadway and temporarily blocked the access to Southwest Barbur Boulevard and southbound I-5 freeway lanes. The crowd moved back to PSU after being cleared from the intersections.
Officers first blocked off all access to PSU's downtown Portland campus. Protesters who opposed Israel’s actions in the Gaza Strip had barricaded themselves in the campus library on Monday.
“You are now under arrest for secondary trespass,” police warned via a loud hailer before moving in. Beyond a bevy of police cars, fire trucks and ambulances also are on standby. Yellow police tape is draped over every access along Southwest Broadway and Market Street.
PSU announced Thursday morning that the campus will once again be closed for the day due to the ongoing situation.
“Portland State University is grateful for the assistance of the Portland Police Bureau, Oregon State Police, Gov. Tina Kotek, Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler and Chief Bob Day for their partnership. What we’ve seen take place so far on the Park Blocks, while distressing to see, has been peaceful and calm overall, which is an immense relief. The safety and well being of our campus community is our top priority.," PSU said in a mid-morning statement.
The deployment followed an evening that included a downtown march that turned violent and an apparent arson attack on police vehicles at a Northeast Portland training center.
According to PPB, at about 5 p.m. Wednesday, May 1, Central Precinct officers were alerted to a group gathered in the area of Southwest Park Avenue and Southwest Clay Street, although there were no crimes reported.
But at about 6:30 p.m., reports began coming in that a group of marchers was blocking traffic, and then that one or more suspects were breaking windows and damaging property.
At least one report of an explosion came in to police. Reports suggested that many members of the group were uniformly dressed in all black.
Officers from throughout the city responded to assist Central Precinct to patrol the area, take reports of damage, and investigate the crimes committed.
Among the businesses damaged include banks, coffee shops, cell phone and electronics stores, retail clothing and accessories shops, in and around PSU and Pioneer Courthouse Square At least one undetonated commercial-grade mortar was recovered and made safe by the Metro Area Explosives Disposal Unit.
No arrests were immediately made although PPB said that could happen later. Anyone with information about these cases, including surveillance video, photos, or other evidence is asked to mail crimetips@police.portlandoregon.gov and reference case number 24-107815.
Multnomah County District Attorney Mike Schmidt released the following statement:
“The destruction occurring at demonstrations tonight is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. Damaging property, making threats, and perpetrating violence are not acceptable, meaningful, or productive ways to make a point. These are destructive behaviors that harm community members and local businesses.
“My office stands ready to prosecute cases related to these activities after reviewing evidence gathered and provided to us by law enforcement.”
Then, early Thursday morning, at least 15 Portland Police Training Vehicles were damaged or destroyed by an arsonist.
At 1:55 a.m. May 2, North Precinct officers were dispatched to assist Portland Fire & Rescue at the Portland Police Training Division, located in the 14900 block of Northeast Airport Way.
When they arrived, the officers found the vehicles in a fenced training area were burning. Firefighters extinguished the fires. The building was undamaged, and no injuries were reported.
No one was arrested. Anyone with information about this arson case is asked to contact Portland Police Detective Meredith Hopper at Meredith.Hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or call the PF&R Fire Investigation Unit’s tip line, 503-823- FIRE (3473), and reference case number 24-108126.
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