PORTLAND, Ore. — Officers arrested 12 people, including four Portland State University students, Thursday morning during an operation to clear the PSU library of pro-Palestinian protesters, the Portland Police Bureau (PPB) reported. Protesters had occupied the library since Monday.
PPB reported around 10:17 a.m. that it had finished clearing Branford Price Millar Library. A crowd of about 100 people remain outside the library. As of about midday, the crowd appears to be, for the most part, chanting and demonstrating peacefully.
While officers were clearing the library, PPB said they found tools, improvised weapons, ball bearings, paint balloons, spray bottles of ink and DIY armor. Portland police said none of the items were used against officers.
Police also shared a video on social media that showed officers encountering a slippery substance, perhaps soap, on the floor of the library as they pushed through a barricade and closed door. Police said the substance was "likely intended to cause police to slip and fall."
PPB set up a perimeter around the library at around 6 a.m. Thursday and closed several surrounding blocks (see map below). After announcing Wednesday that the Portland State campus would reopen Thursday, the university changed course Thursday morning and said the campus would be closed for a third consecutive day. At around 9 a.m., PSU called for a shelter in place for Montgomery and Blackstone Halls.
"We issued a shelter in place for Montgomery and Blackstone residence halls; we aren't aware of any other buildings being occupied. The shelter in place was issued under an abundance of caution as police activity in the area continues," a Portland State spokesperson told KGW.
PSU lifted the shelter-in-place order around 12:11 p.m.
PPB started its operation by broadcasting a message from its sound truck at around 6 a.m., saying protesters must leave Millar Library and the South Park blocks immediately or they would be arrested for second-degree trespass. Around 50 minutes later, PPB started broadcasting a new message that said anyone still inside the library or South Park blocks was now under arrest for second-degree trespass.
"Anyone resisting arrest could have force used against them and be subject to additional criminal charges," PPB announced from its sound truck.
At around 7:47 a.m., PPB reported officers had entered the library and were doing a "slow, methodical clear of the building." In a news conference Thursday afternoon, PPB Sgt. Kevin Allen said officers started by taking an elevator to the top and secured the roof. They then worked their way down to the ground floor.
Portland police said that rumors claiming officers inside the library had "tear gas" were not true. "Officers have standard issue 40mm less-lethal launchers," PPB wrote. "They're a tool we have for daily patrol and public order events. [Their] use is regulated by PPB use of force policy."
Shortly after 9 a.m., PPB said it had cleared the roof and multiple floors, but that there was "still a lot of work to do" as officers worked "slowly and carefully through the building." Right around that time, a large group of protesters was seen running from the library. During the Thursday afternoon news conference, Allen said that the group fled out the front door as officers approached the bottom floor.
Police made a few arrests, Allen said, and a few officers received minor injuries, including an officer being sprayed with a fire extinguisher. More arrests were made as police proceeded to secure the perimeter of the building, including one arrest of a protester who was striking an officer with a hard improvised shield.
Allen and PPB Chief Bob Day both said that while some of the group that fled the library escaped arrest, that police will continue to investigate and future arrests could happen.
Around 9:20 a.m., PPB announced over the sound truck that people should stay behind police lines and not interfere with officers. "Interfering with lawful arrests will subject you to potential use of force and arrest, and criminal charges," police said. At around that same time, a group of protesters blocked a police custody van as it tried to leave the campus. Allen said during Thursday afternoon's briefing that the van was holding some of the people who had been arrested. PPB had to request help from Oregon State Police to get the van past the protesters.
Around 10:10 a.m., police reported that some members of the crowd gathered around the library were throwing water bottles at officers.
At 10:17 a.m., PPB reported that the library had been cleared.
Allen said Thursday afternoon that police continue to work to secure the perimeter around the library. He said it remains an active scene.
"The goal is now to get it secured, and Portland State University is working on that process as we speak," he said.
Portland State President Ann Cudd released a statement Thursday morning, saying the university looks forward to opening its campus as soon as possible.
"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," Cudd wrote. "We took this step only after extensive negotiations using faculty members as intermediaries. We look forward to opening our campus to all students as soon as possible."
Pro-Palestinian protest at Portland State University
Downtown businesses damaged during march
On Wednesday night, a group of about 100 protesters marched through downtown Portland, many holdings signs calling for a free Palestine. At Pioneer Courthouse Square, some marchers started smashing windows and tables. Others blocked traffic.
At least one undetonated commercial-grade mortar was located, commercial-grade fireworks were deployed, and property was tagged with graffiti. Multiple businesses, including banks, coffee shops, cell phone and electronics stores, retail clothing and accessories shops and property belonging to Portland State University were damaged.
At around 1:55 a.m. Thursday, officers and firefighters were dispatched to the Portland Police Training Division in Northeast Portland, where they found at least 15 police vehicles on fire inside a fenced training area. Firefighters put out the fires and no injuries were reported. The building was not damaged.
RELATED: Pro-Palestinian protesters march in downtown Portland, break windows at Pioneer Courthouse Square
PPB Chief Bob Day posted a statement on social media, saying that property destruction won't be tolerated.
"I am disheartened by the acts of vandalism over the last 12 hours. Damaging downtown businesses and vehicles at our Training Division is unacceptable and will not be tolerated," he wrote. "I understand people in our community are hurting, but in no way is property destruction a productive way to address that angst. I want the community to know these criminal actions will be fully investigated."
Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek released a statement condemning the criminal actions over the past week.
"I fully condemn the criminal actions taken Thursday morning that resulted in the burning of 15 Portland Police Bureau cars and endangers first responders and the surrounding community," Kotek wrote. "I have absolutely no tolerance for discriminatory harassment, violence, or property damage. This includes the acts of vandalism seen this week at the Portland State University library and against nearby businesses.
"These actions are in direct opposition to Oregon values and threaten working people, families, businesses, and our community as a whole. The Oregon State Police have launched a response on the outer perimeter of Portland State University. The state is prepared to exercise the full extent of the law."
PPB did not say whether the arson was the work of protesters. They said anyone with information about the arson case should contact PPB detective Meredith Hopper at meredith.hopper@police.portlandoregon.gov or call the PF&R tip line at 503-823-FIRE (3473) and reference case number 24-108126.
Photos show damage inside library
Protesters have occupied the library since Monday night, setting up makeshift barricades that limited access into the building. PSU president Ann Cudd warned in an email Wednesday evening that the library is closed and no one is authorized to be inside. "Anyone still in the library is committing criminal trespass, and must leave immediately," she wrote. "Portland State University is cooperating with law enforcement in this matter."
On Wednesday morning, about 50 students protesting inside the library left on their own, but some protesters, consisting of students and non-students, remained inside.
RELATED: PHOTOS: Shattered glass, graffiti seen inside Portland State University library from protest
Photos taken Wednesday show damage inside the library, including shattered panes of glass, graffiti and the use of tables and chairs as makeshift barricades throughout the building.
PHOTOS: PSU library occupation
Protesters rejected deal to end occupation
In a letter sent to the campus community Wednesday morning, Cudd said a deal with protesters that would have ended the occupation fell through after protesters rejected it. As part of the deal, Cudd said she was assured that the protesters occupying the library would vacate the library by 1:30 a.m. Wednesday. In return, the university guaranteed it would not expel, suspend or file criminal charges against any students involved in the library occupation, among other concessions.
"I fervently wish that the students in the library had signed on to our agreement, but, after their negotiators told us they had a deal, they apparently chose not to sign," Cudd said.
In the deal, Cudd also said that the university would work to include scholarships and creative works relating to Palestine in course requirements and continue to fund anti-racist efforts, as well as give a personal donation to the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia (MENASA) Student Center at Portland state.
Cudd also agreed to meet with student leaders on May 17 about the remaining concerns of the protesters not addressed in the deal.
Occupation started Monday
On Monday evening, a group of pro-Palestinian protesters — made up of mostly PSU students, faculty and staff — broke into and began occupying Millar Library. Protestors said they would only leave if their demands are met. For days, PSU and Portland police asked the protesters to leave peacefully.
The university closed campus on Tuesday and Wednesday, citing the library occupation. Cudd said they were working on a plan to return to classes and regular operations as soon as possible.
"It is our understanding that there are also a number of non-students who remain in the library as part of the protest," Cudd said Wednesday. "I continue to hope for a peaceful resolution and I offer my thanks to the entire PSU community for continuing to care for one another."
In a news release Wednesday afternoon, Portland police said officials had developed a plan to "resolve the library incident" on Tuesday evening, but the police incident commander decided to hold off after "conditions changed."
The news release included a statement from PPB Chief Bob Day that appeared to leave the door open for future police action if the library occupation continued.
"We will pursue all efforts at de-escalation, but make no mistake PPB will take appropriate action to do our part to hold individuals and groups accountable for their criminal conduct," he wrote. "I have the utmost faith that our PPB membership will continue to perform in the most professional manner."
The PPB news release also pushed back on what it characterized as a rumor that the Tuesday evening plan was delayed or canceled due to the actions of the District Attorney's office.
"That rumor is false," PPB wrote in the statement. "District Attorney Mike Schmidt and his team have offered their full support to PPB efforts to resolve the situation."
VIDEO: Live coverage of Portland police clearing Portland State University library (7 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.)