Protesters storm library at Portland State University

Anti-Israel protesters stormed a library at Portland State University on Thursday evening for a second time, hours after law enforcement officers initially cleared the building of protesters who occupied it as part of the protest and demonstration.

Police officers were called to clear the library of its illegal occupants on Thursday morning, multiple outlets reported. The library had been occupied since April 29 as part of the anti-Israel demonstration on Portland State University’s campus.

At least 22 protesters were arrested as police cleared the building, according to KATU, a Portland ABC affiliate. Only four of the people arrested were reportedly students.

Protesters at the library were calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, KOIN reported.

Police found homemade weapons in the library after it cleared the protesters, according to KATU. None of the weapons were reportedly used on law enforcement officers. 

The building remained clear for several hours until protesters breached the library again and attempted to reoccupy it. Reports surfaced of protesters entering the building early Thursday evening, according to reports. Police officers were once again called to clear the library once again.

“We’re the police. Leave the building now, or force will be used against you,” an officer was heard on video before entering the library.

The Portland Police Bureau released a statement on X, formerly Twitter, about their return to the university.

“We can now confirm that trespassers did pull down the fence and broke back into the library. Police officers moved back into the library and made arrests. Arrests have also been made for people refusing to leave the park block at the library,” Portland police said on X, formerly Twitter. 

Video from when the police cleared the library showed the interior of the building damaged, with many of the walls vandalized and spray painted, including images of the Palestinian flag and other messages in graffiti such as “Israeli Diaper Forces.”

The police also announced that seven more people were arrested for breaking into the library. They warned that “more arrests may follow if necessary to keep people for breaching the library and remaining in the closed park.”

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The campus had been closed for three days due to the protests and demonstrations. Portland State University President Ann Cudd announced the school would reopen on May 3 in a message on the university’s website.

“It is my expectation that campus will be open tomorrow thanks to the tireless work of many,” Cudd said. “Most of us are exceedingly eager for a return to class, to work, and to being together on campus in community.”