About 20% of arrested PSU protesters were students

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — After pro-Palestine protesters took over the Portland State University library for multiple days last week, KOIN 6 News learned that less than 20% of people who were arrested were PSU students

Just six of the 31 people who were arrested were students at the college. PSU said two other individuals were taking classes earlier in the year but weren’t enrolled for the spring term.

Charges for four people have been dropped. Two were homeless and the other two voluntarily exited the building after the police made the arrest announcement.

Pro-Palestinian groups took over the library twice . The second time occurred only hours after protesters ran away from the library, and several were caught by police.

The university said PSU will press charges against those who were arrested and cooperate with the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office. That’s in line with PSU President Ann Cudd’s words last week after the group of protesters refused to take a deal that would have offered protection from suspension and expulsion.

The university says it will now review the allegations that led to arrest under the code of student conduct. Those arrested could be suspended or expelled, even if charges are dropped.

Local businesses were forced to shut their doors early in response to the protests.

“We just opened not very long ago, and our sales (are) still up and down, but when things happen like that, it does affect (us),” said Nicole Luu, co-owner of Pho 503. “We don’t have a lot of business, it (was) affected because when I walked in we shut down early.”

Authorities are still searching for at least 18 other protesters who escaped after the initial occupation on Thursday.

Because the library will be shut down for repairs until the fall , students will not have access to books or other resources. However, the university is offering online resources instead.

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