“Heavily armed” protesters wearing riot gear and waving antifa flags descended on Oregon’s Capitol Sunday, resulting in at least three arrests.
“A rioting #antifa militant was nearly run over by a truck at the Oregon state capitol in Salem. #Antifa have gathered there today with weapons. They’re throwing rocks at vehicles passing by. Police are not getting involved,” journalist Andy Ngo tweeted, accompanied by video of the scene.
A rioting #antifa militant was nearly run over by a truck at the Oregon state capitol in Salem. #Antifa have gathered there today with weapons. They’re throwing rocks at vehicles passing by. Police are not getting involved. pic.twitter.com/vVwpssNDPQ
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) March 28, 2021
#Antifa brought their flag, weapons and riot gear to their violent protest gathering at the Oregon state Capitol in Salem. #AntifaRiots pic.twitter.com/AYsZqCCrel
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) March 28, 2021
As many as 200 armed rioters gathered outside of the Salem Capitol building on Sunday, reportedly in response to the conservative “Oregon Freedom Rally” that was planned to take place.
At one point, a rioter allegedly attacked a man’s truck, and the man pulled out a gun and was arrested, Ngo reported.
Breaking: #Antifa smash up a man’s truck at the Oregon state Capitol in Salem. He pulls out a gun and is arrested by responding police. #AntifaRiots pic.twitter.com/H4LTseLllo
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) March 28, 2021
Police have said reports were filed that cars passing the building were hit with balloons filled with paint and that drivers had green lasers pointed at them.
More objects thrown at second red truck. Truck turned around. pic.twitter.com/mQNHpO8RFk
— Virginia Barreda (@vbarreda2) March 28, 2021
Police warned residents to avoid the area, and they also sent out an audible warning telling the protesters they were taking part in an event that didn’t have a permit.
“Exit the roadway and obey all laws,” they said. “Failure to do so may result in arrest. Stay on the sidewalks and exit the roadway.”
#salemoregon UPDATE at 1542 Audible announcements: You are participating in an unpermitted event and blocking Court ST. Exit the roadway and obey all laws. Failure to do so may result in arrest. Stay on the sidewalks and exit the roadway. pic.twitter.com/lG13ggA8AZ
— Salem Police Department (@SalemPoliceDept) March 28, 2021
The scene unfolded after advertisements for the conservative rally were sent out last month to honor those who “fought for our freedoms.” Antifa then began circulating its counterprotest, Fascist Free 503, to stop the right-wing protest. Police said it had diverted freedom rally protesters away from the Capitol before 4 p.m. Antifa members dispersed by 6 p.m.
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At least three were arrested and face charges of disorderly conduct, criminal trespass, and pointing a laser.
Protests and riots plagued cities across the nation last summer and into 2021 following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25. Portland and Seattle saw the most destruction caused by left-wing rioters, with billions of dollars in damages caused to public and private buildings and businesses in those cities and others.