by Tim Gruver, The Center Square | May 03, 2021 08:00 AM Print this article
A weekend gathering billed as a Second Amendment rally in Salem led to far-right groups tied to the Jan. 6 Capitol invasion taking control of a public park.
The Saturday event, promoted online as May Day 2A Rally, saw 100 to 200 attendees at Salem s Riverfront Park in a show of support for their Second Amendment rights. The Proud Boys, a western chauvinist group who have violently clashed with members of the anti-fascist movement, provided security and co-sponsored the event.
Some carried semi-automatic pistols or rifles and closed the public park to media, though they had no authority to do so. The armed attendees threatened reporters, forcing them to leave the immediate area and report from a distance.
by Tim Gruver, The Center Square | April 16, 2021 08:00 AM Print this article
Months of political obstruction may have given Oregon s Republican minority the upper hand in reshaping the next decade of politics in the Beaver State.
Of all the dilemmas facing Oregon lawmakers in 2021, the most complicated has been the prospect of fulfilling their constitutional duty of redrawing the state s legislative and congressional districts. The decennial process, called redistricting, was upended by the U.S. Census Bureau s decision to release its 2020 population count months after Oregon s constitutional deadline to forge a redistricting plan.
On Friday, the Oregon Supreme Court gave state lawmakers until September 27 to submit a redistricting plan to Gov. Kate Brown, effectively waiving their prior July 1 deadline. Should they fail to do so, it will be up to Secretary of State Shemia Fagan to submit a plan of her own by October 18.
SALEM â When Oregon State Sen. Bill Hansell told a colleague he was planning to show up to work on March 25, he received a firm warning.
âHis immediate words to me were, âBill, youâll be crucified,ââ the Athena Republican said.
Hansell was one of six Senate Republicans who showed up to the floor on March 25 as the chamber took up a proposal to ban firearms in state buildings and lay the foundation for other bans.
The bill passed despite opposition from Hansell and other Republicans, who fought the bill for more than six hours on the floor, pointing out holes and sections they considered unconstitutional, Hansell said. Now, several Republicans, including Hansell, have received backlash for showing up and not leading a walkout.
Oregon Senate GOP leader faces recall effort for not walking out
Senate Minority Leader Fred Girod faces a recall effort because he was among GOP lawmakers who allowed the chamber to reach a quorum last month.
Credit: RG - stock.adobe.com Author: Associated Press Updated: 11:53 AM PDT April 7, 2021
SALEM, Ore. Oregon state Senate Minority Leader Fred Girod faces a recall effort because he was among GOP lawmakers who allowed the chamber to reach a quorum last month while it debated whether to ban firearms in state buildings.
Oregon Public Broadcasting reports that Girod and five fellow Republicans were on hand March 25, ensuring the chamber had the minimum 20 members present required to take up business.
Oregon Senate Democrats propose penalties to quell more walkout protests washingtonexaminer.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from washingtonexaminer.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.