PSU Prepares for Afternoon Protests

PORTLAND, Ore. — Downtown Portland’s bracing for another day of protests, following actions that started Thursday night on the Park Blocks.  Portland State University says it’s gotten notice of a large rally starting this afternoon, and is expecting several hundred people. The University says it’s taking precautions to keep the campus safe, including closing its library at noon, and by two this afternoon it will only allow access to campus buildings along the Park Blocks, to those with PSU identification.  

This comes after a series of pro-Palestinian protests that started Thursday night.  Portland Police say protesters  refused to leave in spite of several warnings from Portland Parks and Recs Rangers, and that the area’s supposed to be closed after 9 at night. Police posted pictures on social media, of tents, canopies, and tarps tied to trees and objects which they say can cause thousands of dollars worth of damage. They posted the message “Hurting our parks is not free speech!” 

Meantime PSU President Ann Cudd announced her school would suspend its connections with Boeing, because of protesters demands.