Portland State University police chief hospitalized amid campus protest arrests
PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — A Portland State University spokesperson has confirmed Portland State University’s Chief of Campus Police Willie Halliburton suffered a medical emergency while responding to more protests on campus Thursday.
Campus Public Safety officers arrested seven people related to the protest, three of those individuals were PSU students. Portland Police Bureau was also onsite and provided support. Halliburton was transported to the hospital and admitted.
According to the Portland Police Bureau, the day of the incident PPB had formed a line for all PSU officers to make arrests, but the crowd allegedly became hostile and surrounded the officers.
When PSU tried to transport arrested individuals the crowd blocked the garage exit. PPB says one police officer was spit in the face and at least two others were punched.
As medical personnel arrived at the scene people refused to move, delaying life-saving measures for Chief Willie Halliburton.
Chief Bob Day released a statement about the incident thanking Chief Willie Halliburton for his service and wishing him a speedy recovery. He also gave his thoughts on the assault and people chaining themselves to the doors and blocking access.
"I’d like to address last night’s criminal behavior at the Neuberger Center (RMNC) building, in which police officers were assaulted and harassed, and lifesaving medical care was delayed for Chief Halliburton. It baffles me that these actions are being portrayed as legitimate political protest." Chief Bob Day wrote.
According to a court document, one of the people arrested, 37-year-old Sarah Amani, who also goes by Sean Dean, kicked Halliburton near his stomach while officers struggled to take her into custody.
Prosecutors also accuse Amani of refusing to leave a building even though PSU officers told protesters they were trespassing and would be arrested. Police said she hit an officer in the face.
Another court document said a PSU officer reported she learned that one of the people arrested, 31-year-old Sarah Netto, had kicked Halliburton in the leg.
A PSU police officer reported that Netto was not affiliated with the university, according to the court document.
Following the protests Portland State University President Ann Cudd sent out this message to students:
Last night following a pro-Palestinian protest that began in Urban Plaza, a group of individuals marched to the Richard & Maurine Neuberger Center and obstructed the entrance to the building. As we saw on Wednesday, two protestors chained themselves to the front doors. The individuals were asked to leave, and after declining to do so, our Campus Public Safety Office responded. Portland Police also responded to support our officers. Arrests were made — seven in all, including three current students. I want to acknowledge that those involved in the evening's protest experienced physical force, and CPSO Chief Willie Halliburton was taken to the hospital after suffering a medical emergency.
You can read the full letter below:
PPB said they acknowledge the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) clearly states that people have the right to speak out on other public property as long as they are "not blocking access to the government building or interfering with other purposes the property was designed for.”
The Bureau wrote in a press release that civil disobedience is a form of protest and has a long-time-honored legacy in our country of bringing attention to injustice. However, PPB says the people who commit civil disobedience must accept the legal consequences of their actions.
"They should never resist arrest, attempt to assault police, and others should never interfere with such arrests," PPB wrote in a press release.
Police quoted the ACLU saying, "If stopped by police, people should “stay calm. Make sure to keep your hands visible. Don’t argue, resist, or obstruct the police, even if you believe they are violating your rights.”
Portland Police says if this behavior continues "PPB policy and the law recognize that members may use objectively reasonable force to uphold the civil rights of all individuals, protect human life and property, and maintain civil order.'
On Friday night, about 40 to 50 protesters gathered at Neuberger Center. Some of them threw eggs and water bottles at the building. Someone on a megaphone said, "They can't break out spirit' and it was about love.
A PSU spokesperson told KATU on Friday night that she couldn't say definitively whether any of the students arrested would face disciplinary action, but if they do, the school will follow the student conduct review process.
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