Protesters armed with firearms stormed the Oregan Capitol on Monday to demand an end to the state’s COVID-19 restrictions.
The protesters were identified as members of Patriot Prayer, a local right-wing organization that regularly stages armed demonstrations in Portland. There were also some Proud Boys and other far right groups at the protest as well.
They could be heard calling for the removal of Gov. Kate Brown as well as repeating the phrase “enemies of the state,” and calling for her to be arrested.
“I’m here to support the constitutional rights of people and of Oregon business [owners.] These people are unemployed and their lives are being ruined by this situation and most importantly by a government that seems to have taken totalitarian views,” one protester told The Daily Beast.
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Oregon State Police did not provide much details about the protest but said in a statement on Twitter that people are allowed to exercise their first amendment rights, but in a lawful manner and if they broke the law they should expect to be arrested.
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