05/01/2024
April 29-30, 2024 - Community rally, protest encampment, and occupation of the Portland State University library in support of Palestine and opposing Israel's war in Gaza.
Students' list of demands to the university include full divestment from companies who also do business with Israel (including Boeing, Google, Intel, and more), mental health support for Muslim, Arab, and specifically Palestinian students, inclusion of Palestine and the Israeli occupation in university curriculum, and more.
Negotiations broke down late Tuesday night between PSU president Ann Cudd, administration mediators and representatives from the group of protesters when the two groups could not agree on terms. In a public address, Cudd said she asked Portland Police Bureau for support, drawing further criticism from faculty, alumni, and community advocacy groups including Disarm PSU.
Overnight, student protesters bolstered their position by reinforcing barricades and sharing tactics to protect themselves and each other from police crowd control tactics and munitions like bull rushes, tear gas, and concussion grenades.
As of Wednesday morning no police or university attempts to clear the library by force have been made.