Oregon senators convene at the Capitol on Monday.
In a one-day special session, the Legislature also passed bills to help school districts reopen and increase spending on battling COVID-19.
Oregon state lawmakers offered relief for landlords and tenants on Monday, despite a disorderly backdrop that included protesters bashing in doors to the statehouse and shoving journalists.
In a one-day special legislative session called to address a number of pandemic-related crises, lawmakers also voted to protect schools from lawsuits related to COVID-19 and to bolster bars and restaurants by allowing cocktail sales to go.
Those proposals all passed relatively speedily. The real tumult was happening outside.
SALEM, Ore.
Far-right protesters opposed to coronavirus restrictions attempted to force their way into Oregon’s Capitol building Monday during a special legislative session, with some demonstrators toting guns and others attacking authorities with bear spray.
State police declared an unlawful assembly to bring the situation under control. At least two people were arrested.
Inside the Capitol in Salem, Ore., lawmakers passed four bills Monday evening, including $800 million in relief to people struggling from the COVID-19 pandemic and wildfires, extension of an eviction moratorium through June and the allocation of funds for renter and landlord relief.
“Make no mistake, if we do not pass this bill, thousands of families will lose their homes in January, and it will be on us,” Rep. Julie Fahey, a Democrat from Eugene, said to her colleagues.
Armed protesters attempt to storm Oregon Capitol building marketwatch.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from marketwatch.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Oregon Patriots Water the Tree of Liberty
Oregon patriots, inspired by a love for their country, protested against the tyranny of the state. The patriots made the impossibly unacceptable demand of being allowed to attend a meeting of their elected officials. The legacy media will have you believe they were dangerous and violent. Don’t believe the lies.
Our petitions have been slighted, our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne…we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!”