4 arrests made after protesters attempt to enter Oregon State Capitol during session Claire Withycombe and Virginia Barreda, Salem Statesman Journal
VIDEO: Arrests made following protests at Oregon State Capitol
Replay Video
This story was updated at 8:30 p.m.
Monday’s special session at the Oregon Capitol was slightly disrupted as protestors who appeared to oppose policies closing certain businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus tried in vain to get into a largely-empty Capitol.
Throughout the day, organizers broke glass doors on the west side of the Capitol building, tore tarps from the marble reliefs on the front steps, and engaged in a brief standoff with Oregon State Police and Salem Police Department officers. More than 100 protesters joined in the efforts, including members of Patriot Prayer, a far-right, Washington-based group led by Joey Gibson.
Police Arrest Four In Capitol Protest Monday Details Published: 22 December 2020
At least four people were arrested Monday attempting to break into the state capitol building in Salem during a special legislative session. The building is closed to the public with legislators and authorized staff only allowed inside.
State Police report there were several attempts made by protesters to enter the building. At 8:30 am a person leaving the building allowed a group of protestors to enter a door on the northwest corner of the building. Troopers stopped those people and asked them to leave but things became physical when the group attempted to push past the troopers and enter the main building.
4 arrests made after protesters attempt to enter Oregon State Capitol during session Claire Withycombe and Virginia Barreda, Salem Statesman Journal
VIDEO: Arrests made following protests at Oregon State Capitol
This story was updated at 8:30 p.m.
Monday’s special session at the Oregon Capitol was slightly disrupted as protestors who appeared to oppose policies closing certain businesses to slow the spread of the coronavirus tried in vain to get into a largely-empty Capitol.
Throughout the day, organizers broke glass doors on the west side of the Capitol building, tore tarps from the marble reliefs on the front steps, and engaged in a brief standoff with Oregon State Police and Salem Police Department officers. More than 100 protesters joined in the efforts, including members of Patriot Prayer, a far-right, Washington-based group led by Joey Gibson.
Oregon State Senator Rips Off Mask in Protest During COVID Relief Talks
On 12/22/20 at 7:41 AM EST
Oregon State Senator Dallas Heard has protested mask requirements by ripping off his face covering during a special legislative session for COVID-19 relief at the Capitol in Salem.
Lawmakers had been asked to follow strict guidelines while meeting in the Capitol, including wearing masks or face coverings while on the floor. After being called upon for remonstrances, Heard, a Republican, expressed his outrage at mask rules. This is yet another illegitimate session where you, the Democratic majority, have declared the people unfit to participate in person in their own Capitol building, Heard, a Republican, said.