Armed protesters who tried to force their way into the Oregon state capitol on Monday were met by officials in riot gear as lawmakers rallied for a one-day special session amid tensions over coronavirus restrictions in the state mounted.
Oregon State Police declared the protest, which included dozens of people, an illegal gathering, and officials fired pepperballs to evict the crowd from the Salem Capitol. Police arrested at least two people, including one who authorities said used bear spray on officers. Later, some in the crowd broke windows at an entrance to the Capitol.
Many in the crowd, including people from far-right groups, wore guns, wore body armor, or held flags in support of President Trump.
Governor Kate Brown had convened a one-day special session of lawmakers to discuss issues related to the pandemic, including facilities for landlords and tenants and funding for vaccine distribution, as well as efforts to deal with the state’s devastating forest fire season.
The protesters opposed the restrictions imposed by Ms. Brown to limit the spread of the coronavirus and shouted about its impact on workplaces and schools. “Arrest Kate Brown,” sang the mob of officers. One person carried a sign that read, “Politicians are the virus, revolution is the cure.”
Riot officers with batons, some wearing gas masks, later moved in large numbers to push protesters out of an entrance to the Capitol. Many in the crowd shouted that they had supported police officers for a long time, including back the blue rallies, but would no longer support them.
Oregon’s coronavirus infection numbers are at the peak of the pandemic. By order of the governor, many counties are subject to mandatory restrictions, such as bans on eating indoors in restaurants.
