Oregon Legislative Session on Hold Due to Security

After U.S. Capitol insurrection, to prepare for the worst Oregon Legislature cancels first two days, state representative says

BlogNews by Henry HoustonPosted on

Before President Donald Trump incited rally-goers of “Save Our America” to storm the U.S. Capitol, right-wingers tried to take the Oregon Capitol to protest Gov. Kate Brown’s COVID-19 social distancing measures on Dec. 21.

Surveillance footage obtained by OPB showed state Rep. Mike Nearman open the door for the protesters. That resulted in Salem lawmakers such as House Speaker Tina Kotek call for Nearman’s resignation.

Now State Rep. Marty Wilde tells Eugene Weekly that the Legislature has canceled the first two days of the session — Tuesday, Jan. 19, and Wednesday, Jan. 20 — because of security concerns related to Inauguration Day protests. The New York Times and other news outlets have reported that all 50 state capitols are on high alert.

“We cannot allow terroristic threats to stop the people’s business,” Wilde says in a statement. “My brothers and sisters in the National Guard are protecting the State Capitol. We should honor their courage by serving as we have sworn to do. If we have specific knowledge of a particular threat that makes that unsafe, we should not endanger their lives while protecting our own.”

Salem is also preparing for unrest by activating the National Guard. On Jan. 13, the Oregon State Police Superintendent Terri Davie said in a statement that she had requested the Oregon National Guard to assist with potential upcoming civil unrest. The governor approved the request.

“The Oregon State Police will continue to take a neutral role in ensuring Oregonians exercise their First Amendment rights,” Oregon State Police Superintendent Davie said in a statement. “For the past seven months, your Troopers have responded throughout Oregon to various protests, unlawful assemblies and riots.  Our goals have always been to protect people, protect people’s rights and to protect property. The recent events at our Nation’s Capitol building and at our own statehouse illustrate the need for law enforcement to be prepared and appropriately staffed for any large gatherings.”

Salem has experienced two recent right-wing protests at the Oregon Capitol recently . On Jan. 6, right-wing protesters organized a “Stop the Steal” rally. Journalists covering the event on Twitter reported that right-wingers in Salem were live-streaming the “Save Our America” rally and the storming of the U.S. Capitol.

During the clash, right-wing protesters shot paintballs at counter-protesters.

And on Dec. 21, right-wing protesters broke into the Oregon Capitol to protest the governor’s social distancing restrictions. During the protest, right-wingers kicked in a door to the Oregon Capitol and clashed with police.

Right-wing protesters also held a rally outside of the Capitol on New Year’s Day to demand the state allow businesses open.

The Oregon Legislature’s elected members were sworn in on Jan. 11.

This article has been updated

A Note From the Publisher

Dear Readers,

The last two years have been some of the hardest in Eugene Weekly’s 43 years. There were moments when keeping the paper alive felt uncertain. And yet, here we are — still publishing, still investigating, still showing up every week.

That’s because of you!

Not just because of financial support (though that matters enormously), but because of the emails, notes, conversations, encouragement and ideas you shared along the way. You reminded us why this paper exists and who it’s for.

Listening to readers has always been at the heart of Eugene Weekly. This year, that meant launching our popular weekly Activist Alert column, after many of you told us there was no single, reliable place to find information about rallies, meetings and ways to get involved. You asked. We responded.

We’ve also continued to deepen the coverage that sets Eugene Weekly apart, including our in-depth reporting on local real estate development through Bricks & Mortar — digging into what’s being built, who’s behind it and how those decisions shape our community.

And, of course, we’ve continued to bring you the stories and features many of you depend on: investigations and local government reporting, arts and culture coverage, sudoku and crossword puzzles, Savage Love, and our extensive community events calendar. We feature award-winning stories by University of Oregon student reporters getting real world journalism experience. All free. In print and online.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because readers step up and say: this matters.

As we head into a new year, please consider supporting Eugene Weekly if you’re able. Every dollar helps keep us digging, questioning, celebrating — and yes, occasionally annoying exactly the right people. We consider that a public service.

Thank you for standing with us!

Publisher
Eugene Weekly

P.S. If you’d like to talk about supporting EW, I’d love to hear from you!
jody@eugeneweekly.com
(541) 484-0519

Support Eugene Weekly Today!

Comments are closed.