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Campus Chaos Portends Summer of Violence
17 police cars were torched in Oregon as pro-Palestine protests escalate.
“Portland police investigating claims of responsibility in arson fire that burned 17 police cars,” reported Fedor Zarkhin for The Oregonian on May 6.
“Police originally said 15 cars were burned in the fire last Thursday but increased that number by two Monday as their investigation continues,” noted Zarkhin. “Also Monday, a group calling itself ‘Rachel Corrie’s Ghost Brigade’ said people had cut through a fence at the bureau’s training facility and set 10 fires in anticipation of a police response at Portland State University’s Millar Library.”
“Pro-Palestinian demonstrators had occupied the library for three days and the university administration asked city police to intervene,” Zarkhin clarified. “Police on Friday arrested 12 people, including four students, after the initial sweep.”
“‘Raid them before they raid you,’ the group’s post said on the website Rose City Counter-Info,” added Zarkhin. “The website allows people to publish posts anonymously. The website was used earlier this year by people who claimed they set a car on fire outside Portland City Commissioner Rene Gonzalez’s house.”
As the pro-Palestine protests have grown more violent, one outcome seemed foregone: Arrests.