In recent judicial proceedings within Multnomah County, Circuit Court Judge Thomas Ryan delivered a verdict against PSU protestor Danielle Alisha Monk, convicting her of Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree for her involvement in a campus demonstration last year, as reported by the Multnomah County District Attorney's Office.
The trial, spanning from March 31 to April 1, saw the DA's office present evidence indicating that during a protest at Portland State University in May 2024, Monk had entered a closed parking garage not open to the public and obstructed police vehicles, this included her sitting in front of them as they attempted to transport other arrestees the legal proceedings resulting in Monk receiving six months of bench probation, she was also ordered to avoid law-breaking activities and to complete 16 hours of community service by August 1.
Monk's actions at the protest echo a similar case involving Samira Claire Jensen, who a jury found guilty of the same charge in January 2025; both incidents occurred during the same event at PSU, as per the district attorney's announcement. The handling of these offenses falls under the purview of the DA's Strategic Prosecution and Services Unit, a sector primarily focused on neighborhood-specific concerns and interfacing with the community on these issues.
Deputy District Attorney Bijal Patel, representing the prosecution, extended gratitude to PSU public safety officers for their efforts during the protests. The Strategic Prosecution and Services Unit notably reviews cases ranging from misdemeanors to homicides, and Patel's work evidently encompassing the spectrum of criminal justice as detailed by the Multnomah County DA's Office.
