Politics & Government

Pro-Trump Demonstrators Gather In Salem As DC Protests Turn Violent

Jefferson Public Radio | By Jonathan Levinson,

Published January 6, 2021 at 3:40 PM PST

Pro-Trump groups began to gather Wednesday morning for a rally at the Oregon Capitol in Salem, Jan. 6, 2021, to protest Congress's certification of the presidential election, joining groups across the country in erroneously claiming fraud led to President Trump's failure to win reelection.

Pro-Trump groups began to gather Wednesday morning for a rally at the Oregon Capitol in Salem to protest Congress’ certification of the presidential election, joining groups across the country in erroneously claiming fraud led to President Trump’s failure to win re-election.

The United States Congress’ certification of Electoral College votes is largely a formality, one which typically happens with little fanfare and – despite Trump’s claims to the contrary — cannot overturn the election without broad Congressional support.

For weeks, Trump has been supporting his followers as they planned to hold rallies across the country Wednesday, viewed by his supporters as their last-ditch attempt to keep Biden out of office. Thousands of far-right demonstrators are expected to take to the streets in Washington, D.C., where Trump has said he will make an appearance.

By early afternoon in D.C., some demonstrators had already started clashing with police as they tried to push their way into the U.S. Capitol building.

BREAKING: Trump supporters have breached the Capitol building, tearing down 4 layers of security fencing and are attempting to occupy the building — fighting federal police who are overrun

This is the craziest thing I’ve ever seen in my life. Thousands, police can’t stop them pic.twitter.com/VVdTUwV5YN
— ELIJAH SCHAFFER (@ElijahSchaffer) January 6, 2021

Similar protests in Oregon have already turned violent. On Dec. 21, conservative demonstrators clashed with police outside the Oregon Capitol, angered over public health restrictions and the outcome of the presidential election. Some of those protesters have faced charges for breaking into the Capitol building, spraying bear mace at police officers and disorderly conduct. Oregon State Police said they are still looking for one protester who threw a gas canister into a crowd of police officers.

Police across the country made arrests in the lead up to the pro-Trump demonstrations Wednesday.

Chandler Pappas, a member of the Vancouver, Washington-based group Patriot Prayer, was arrested Monday on accusations he attacked officers at the Salem rally. He remains in the Marion County Jail with bail set at $250,000.

A woman burns an effigy of Governor Kate Brown at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem, Jan. 6, 2021. Far-right groups began to gather Wednesday morning for a rally at the Oregon Capitol in Salem to protest Congress's certification of the presidential election, joining groups across the country in erroneously claiming fraud led to President TrumpÕs failure to win reelection.

Also on Monday, Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio was arrested soon after his arrival in D.C. on charges stemming from a December demonstration where Proud Boys tore down and burned a Black Lives Matter sign in front of a historic Black church. He was also found to have two 30-round rifle magazines, which are illegal in the District of Columbia.

On Tuesday night, demonstrations in Washington, D.C., turned violent as Trump supporters turned on police.

The Salem Police Department said its primary goal Wednesday is to prevent violence or property damage and to keep opposing groups separate. In a press release, the Salem Police Department encouraged residents to avoid the area around the Capitol building.