Once again, bad behavior is being rewarded. You cannot appease a mob. It never works.
The College Fix reports:
Portland State U. considers divestment after protesters cause $1.23 million in damages to libraryPortland State University just reopened its library after pro-Palestinian protestors took over and vandalized the building in April, causing $1.23 million in damages.Now, the university is considering protesters’ demands to divest from companies with connections to Israel – prompting criticism from one scholar.The Millar Library re-opened Sept. 16 after a lengthy repair process that cost $1.23 million, university spokesperson Katy Swordfisk told The College Fix in a recent email.The protesters’ occupation of the library last spring proved very destructive. Walls, windows, computers, books, furniture, and more were damaged or destroyed, and images showed large parts of the building spraypainted with anti-Israel graffiti.The fire safety system also was damaged, making it unsafe even for staff to have “consistent access” to the building for several months, according to an update on the library’s website.Afterward, 22 protesters were arrested, including seven students, the Portland Police Bureau told KOIN News at the time.Pro-Palestinian students want PSU to end ties to Boeing and other companies connected to Israel. In May, the student government passed a resolution calling for the university to end its “relationship” with the company.Additionally, a video of the damage to the library shows the words “F— Boeing” spraypainted across glass doors.This fall, the university is starting up a Committee on Socially Responsible Investment and Partnership to consider the divestment demands.Swordfisk told The Fix the committee “is tasked with examining PSU’s practices around investment and partnership. The Committee will make recommendations to support and enhance alignment with PSU’s mission and values.”Boeing has a longtime charitable relationship with PSU, donating “$150,000 to name a classroom in the Karl Miller Center” and “$28,000 a year for scholarships,” according to the student newspaper PSU Vanguard.However, because it is a supplier of military equipment to Israel, some pro-Palestinian students want the university to end ties to the company. In April, PSU President Ann Cudd agreed to pause relations with the airplane manufacturer in response to the students’ demands.
CLICK HERE FOR FULL VERSION OF THIS STORY