On Thursday, a total of 12 individuals were arrested at Portland State University as police conducted an operation to clear the university library. According to Portland Police Bureau Sgt. Kevin Allen, the arrests were made as officers worked to ensure the safety and security of the campus.
Out of the 12 arrested, only four were identified as students of the university, while the remaining individuals did not have any apparent affiliation with the school, as reported by Sgt. Allen during a news conference.
The police operation commenced at 6 a.m. with officers methodically clearing the library from the top floor to the bottom. Sgt. Allen emphasized that the process was conducted with caution and precision to ensure the safety of all involved.
Throughout the operation, officers encountered obstacles that slowed their progress, particularly when breaching the bottom floor of the library. This phase proved to be the most challenging, leading to a group of individuals fleeing from the premises as officers gained access.
During the clearance process, a group of protesters reportedly obstructed a custody van from leaving the scene, causing some disruptions. Sgt. Allen mentioned that there were instances of confrontation and use of force during the operation, resulting in minor injuries to two officers. One officer was sprayed with a fire extinguisher, while another was allegedly struck with a shield.
The operation, which lasted for a couple of hours, aimed to restore order and ensure the safety of the university community. The Portland Police Bureau is continuing its investigation into the incident to determine the motives behind the disturbance at the university library.
