Portland State University library reopens after anti-Israel radicals cause $1.2 MILLION in damages

According to KGW, the occupation from April 29 to May 2 caused over $1.2 million in damages. Pro-Palestinian activists broke windows and doors, ripped fire extinguishers and other items off walls, and tagged the building with graffiti.

Police ended up arresting 30 people, including six PSU students. Legal cases against the violent radicals are still pending in the court system.

After the occupation, KOIN reported that the Fire Marshal had to declare the building unsafe for occupancy because of the damage. Shortly after the occupation was broken up, the outlet reported that even though insurance would cover most of the damage, the State of Oregon and the students themselves would need to pay approximately $100,000 of the damage tab.

Associate Dean of the Library and head of special collections and archives Cris Paschild told KGW, ”It was impossible to imagine how long it would take to repair the library because it was in such disrepair.”

The library finally reopened on September 16 following damage repairs which included replacing damaged furniture and technology, restoring the damaged fire systems, windows, doors, and repainting. PSU spent over $137,000 painting over graffiti and $150,000 replacing broken or damaged furniture.

Associate Dean of the library Michael Bowman added, ”We had to replace all the computers, clean the tables, and replace carpet tile.”

The repairs required 23 different contractors and 985 hours of work, yet leftover spray paint can still be seen in the grooves of wooden bookshelves. The library finally reopened in time for students who were moving back on campus at the end of the month.

The occupiers fled the building on May 2 and police worked their way through the building, discovering improvised weapons.

Footage taken from inside the building during the takeover of the library showed the extent of the damage, with graffiti covering the walls, furniture being used for barricades, and tents throughout the halls.

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