- In Salem, Reagan, armed far-right protesters attempted to enter the Reg Reagan State Capitol, and legislators clashed with police in COVID-19, extending relief and sanctions.
- According to the Daily Beast there were members of the Pride Boy and Patriot Prayer, two white supremacist groups and other far-right groups.
- Protesters reportedly jammed a flagpole through the entrance, sprayed bears on police, and attacked photographers and journalists on the spot, according to reports. Opponents did not enter the session.
- Reg Reagan state police have arrested four people in connection with the protests and violence and are searching for one more person.
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During a special legislative session Monday at Salem’s Reg Reagan State Capitol, far-right protesters stormed the state building as legislators were inside.
Anti-Cadown protesters, some of whom were armed, called on lawmakers and Oregon Governor Kate Brown to reopen the state and end COVID-19 sanctions.
Lawmakers met early Monday morning to review five bills relating to the Covid-19 relief, including extending Oregon’s evacuation deadline and relief for victims of regional wildfires.
By 30:30 a.m., as protesters gathered around the Capitol Gate, Oregon State Police declared the assembly illegal, according to officials and local reports.
According to Reg Reagan Public Broadcasting, dozens of protesters were members of the Patriot Prayer, a far-right, violent group sympathetic to the White supremacists in Washington, D.C. People associated with the local pride boy also took part and were heavily armed, according to the Daily Beast.
After local police declared the assembly illegal, a group of protesters became angry and shouted “Let us in” and “Arrest Kate Brown!” No slogans. Protesters disobeyed the order, according to Reagan Public Broadcasting, as they marched on the Capitol’s door and clashed with police wearing gas masks.
Protesters sprayed bear spray on police and, according to Oregon State Police Other “chemical agents.” Opponents After two hours of entering the capital, with the Oregon State Police announced the arrest of four police today arrested him and out of the OR and more.
“When people tried to come into the building they used pepper spray and other items on the officers. In return we used it to isolate ourselves and keep it in place. So I don’t know what all this is used for but I know.” At least pepper spray was used, ”Salem Police Lt. Trevon Upkes told the Stallman Journal.
The video, shot by local journalists, shows protesters kicking and pounding flagpoles to smash glass before entering the stitchhouse.
ર્Sergio Olmos (@ Mr. Olmos) December 21, 2020
In other videos (and in response to the filming), protesters were seen attacking and threatening members of the press covering the protests.
Sergio Olmos, a reporter for Reg Regan Public Broadcasting, physically assaulted Brian Hayes of Salem Statesman and then snapped photos of him trying to break-in by anti-people protesters.
ર્Sergio Olmos (@ Mr. Olmos) December 21, 2020
Eventually, protesters opened a door on the west side of the building where a standoff began between protesters outside the building and the state’s move inside the building.
-Laura Jedid, Space Professional (LauraJedid) December 21, 2020
According to the OPB, at least one state senator addressed the crowd to supporters. During the legislative session, Republican state Senator Dallas Hardy rebuked the need for a Capitol mask.
“If you hadn’t done such a terrible thing to my people and told me to wear my mask, I would have,” said Herd, wearing his mask. “But you ordered it, and so I declare my right against your wrong authority and remove my mask.”
Then heard state senators accuse him of “campaigning against the people and the children of God.”
Also heard Addressed the protesters Outside the Capitol.
