Police make entry into PSU's library to begin clearing
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Police are beginning operations to clear out occupiers inside Portland State University's Millar Library Thursday morning, officials said.
A KOIN 6 News crew on the scene says officers have begun arriving on the scene and police tape is being set up.
Just before 8 a.m., PPB said they had entered the library, moving slowly through and clearing barricades as they go.
Officials shared on X that two arrests were made outside of the library.
PPB said that they are not using tear gas, however, officers are armed with 40mm less-lethal launchers, which are regulated by PPB's use of force policies.
According to police, roads around the campus are being closed during the operation.
From Southwest Broadway to Southwest 11th Street and between Southwest College Street and Southwest Mill Street the roads are closed off. Southwest Broadway is still open to pedestrian and vehicular traffic.
The operation is expected to take several hours officials said.
In an interview with KOIN 6 News, Portland Police Chief Bob Day said that he was saddened by the events in downtown Portland Wednesday night.
“Last night’s events downtown were really just a tragedy. It saddens me to see the unwillingness for people to exercise their First Amendment rights in a way that gets their message out but also protects the rights of others,” Chief Day said.
PSU announced Thursday morning that the campus will once again be closed for the day due to the ongoing situation.
Thursday morning's police activity came as the library occupation entered a fourth day. The occupation was one of many encampments at college campuses nationwide as protesters called for a ceasefire in Gaza.
On Tuesday evening, KOIN 6 News was able to go inside Millar Library, where our news crew observed graffiti, broken glass and smashed computers, along with blocked emergency exits. However, the books in the library appeared to be untouched.
On Wednesday evening, a group of demonstrators marched from the South Park Blocks near PSU into downtown Portland, leaving some graffiti and broken windows in their wake, before regrouping outside of the Millar Library at PSU.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.