12 arrested, including 4 students, as Portland police clear Portland State University library

(Update: Library cleared, 12 protesters arrested)

PORTLAND, Ore. (KGW/KTVZ) — 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 reported. Protesters had occupied the library since Monday, KGW reported.

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 appeared 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, 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."

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.

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."

RELATED: Portland police vehicles burned at training facility

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.