Oregon State Representative Called to Resign for Letting Far-Right Group Enter State Capitol
On 1/13/21 at 3:11 PM EST
An Oregon state representative has been called to resign after he opened the doors of the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem to admit right-wing protesters during a one-day special session last month.
In a statement released Monday, House Speaker Tina Kotek called for the removal of Republican Mike Nearman, who has also been removed from all committees and made to pay $2,000 for damage done by the rioters. Representative Nearman put every person in the Capitol in serious danger, Speaker Kotek said in the statement. As we tragically saw last week during the insurrection at the United States Capitol, the consequences could have been much worse had law enforcement not stepped in so quickly. His actions have created immense fear among legislators and Capitol staff. I believe he should resign immediately because he has already breached the public trust and enda
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(Twitter/ screengrab courtesy of the Oregon State Legislature)
Newly released security footage on Friday shows an Oregon lawmaker holding the door open for armed, far-right demonstrators to barge into the Oregon State Capitol building during a demonstration in December.
On December 21, 2020, at about 8.30 AM, Republican Rep. Mike Nearman is seen leaving the building and in doing so, the footage from inside the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem, Oregon, shows that he left the door open just enough for the volatile demonstrators to get in. HEY LOOK! Surveillance video of the Oregon State Capitol showing: wait for it @Oregon GOP Rep. Mike Nearman opening the door for some really bad guys on December 21, 2020. Thanks be to god, that he made stupid people like Mike. @ORStatePolice is investigating, a user shared on Twitter.
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As he leaves, far-right demonstrators brush past him and enter the building
The protestors are then seen fighting with police who are trying to eject them
Four people were arrested and police were pepper sprayed during the incident
Newly released security video shows an Oregon lawmaker holding the door open for armed, far-right demonstrators to illegally enter the Oregon State Capitol building last December.
The footage from inside the Oregon State Capitol building in Salem, Oregon, shows Republican Rep. Mike Nearman leaving the building at about 8.30am on December 21, 2020.
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On that day, lawmakers were holding a special session to address the coronavirus pandemic. The building was closed to the public.
It happened on Dec. 21. House Speaker Tina Kotek confirmed the investigation into Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence). Author: Maggie Vespa Updated: 7:20 PM PST January 7, 2021
PORTLAND, Ore. Oregon State Police is investigating a Republican state representative for helping armed far-right demonstrators enter the closed Capitol building in Salem, during last month’s one-day special session. It happened on Dec. 21. House Speaker Tina Kotek confirmed the investigation into Rep. Mike Nearman (R-Independence) Thursday morning, after it was first reported by Oregon Public Broadcasting (OPB).
“We have been waiting to talk publicly about one element of the entry of the demonstrators, and that is that Oregon State Police has confirmed and informed us that Representative Mike Nearman did open a door to let demonstrators into the building,” Kotek (D-Portland) said during a press conference via Zoom. “This was a serious, serious breach of public tr