Salem police declare Antifa protest at Oregon State Capitol an ‘unlawful assembly’

Annaliese Levy

Mar 29, 2021

Source: Andy Ngo on Twitter

The Salem Police Department (SPD) declared an “unlawful assembly” at the Oregon State Capitol after violent Antifa protests broke out on Sunday evening.

On 28 March, 2021, #antifa gathered in Salem, Ore. in a pre-planned riot. They wore ballistic vests & carried guns, bats, shields & gasmasks. They assaulted drivers on the road by throwing paint & rocks. One vehicle's windshield was impaled by a tree limb. https://t.co/dfXn2yt9xG pic.twitter.com/vNw1DXKhtt
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) March 29, 2021

Hundreds of Antifa demonstrators clashed with right-wing protestors in response to a planned “Freedom” rally and flag wave.

“Shortly before noon, approximately 100 individuals wearing black clothing and ballistic vests and carrying firearms, bats, skateboards, umbrellas, shields and gas masks arrived on the capitol mall grounds,” the SPD said.

The crowd was “heavily armed,” according to the SPD.

SPD said they received reports of vehicles driving past the Capitol being struck with balloons filled with paint as well as lasers being pointed at drivers.

2⃣/4⃣ The risk of violence has increased as the opposing protestors are expected to arrive in large numbers. We have received reports that vehicles driving past the capitol are being struck with balloons filled with paint and green lasers being pointed at drivers.
— Salem Police Department (@SalemPoliceDept) March 28, 2021

Author and journalist Andy Ngo shared a video of Antifa members smashing vehicles that displayed U.S. flags.

#Antifa smash up more vehicles at the riot at the Oregon state Capitol. They're targeting any vehicle that displays a US flag. pic.twitter.com/serqcNJ4cv
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) March 28, 2021

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

Ngo shared another video of a female who was almost killed inside of her car by an Antifa attack.

#Antifa impaled the red truck with a large tree branch during their mob attack on the vehicle outside the Oregon state capitol. There was a female passenger in the vehicle at the time who was nearly killed. #AntifaRiots pic.twitter.com/WZARAZoT5A
— Andy Ngô (@MrAndyNgo) March 29, 2021

Police issued a warning to protesters that were participating in the unpermitted event and blocking the streets.

“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

Oregon State Police and Salem Police declared the gathering as an “unlawful assembly” and police formed a line in front of the Capitol building.

Authorities advised residents and visitors to avoid the Capitol area and added that the SPD, Oregon State Police and the Marion County Sheriff’s Office would be monitoring the situation and were “prepared to act in the interest of the public’s safety.”

Four hours later, the SPD announced that the riots had ceased and protestors had left the scene.

“Activities have come to conclusion as protestors have left the area. Our thanks to the many partner agencies that assisted with handling the protest activity and the criminal conduct of a several individuals,” the department tweeted.

Several individuals were arrested and booked at the Marion County Correctional Facility on charges related to criminal activity, the SPD wrote in a press release.

The police department said they will continue to investigate the matter and encouraged anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Salem Police Department.

Follow Annaliese Levy on Twitter @AnnalieseLevy