June 9, 2021
Page 2
Video Shows
Planning for
Break-in
Pro-Trump
and anti-mask
demonstrators hold
a rally last Dec. 21
at the Oregon State
Capitol. The day
grew into a violent
confrontation
when protestors
sprayed chemical
irritants at police
after a Republican
lawmaker allowed
protesters to enter
the locked building.
(AP photo)
Republican now
faces expulsion
(AP) — A Republican state lawmak-
er faces being expelled from office after
a video emerged apparently showing him
choreographing how he would let far-right
protesters into the closed Oregon Capitol
days before he did so in December.
The crowd entered the building during
an emergency legislative session last Dec.
21, and some sprayed chemical irritants at
police.
On Monday, Oregon House Speak-
er Tina Kotek introduced a resolution
that would have the Democrat-controlled
House expel Rep. Mike Nearman if two-
thirds of its members vote in favor.
GOP members of the House also wrote
a letter to Nearman on Monday, saying he
should step down.
The lawmakers were referring to video
that emerged late Friday that appeared to
show Nearman coaching constituents on how
to text him so they could get into the Capitol.
Nearman himself said Monday he be-
lieves there are enough votes to expel him,
but did not say whether he would resign.
The incident on Dec. 21 rattled lawmak-
ers and staff inside the Capitol and fore-
shadowed the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S.
Capitol by rioters spurred on by then Pres-
ident Donald Trump. Several of those who
were among the crowds in Salem on Dec.
21 later were in Washington during the
U.S. Capitol attack.
As lawmakers met in emergency session
on Dec. 21 to deal with economic fallout
from the coronavirus pandemic, far-right
rioters entered the building. They sprayed
chemical irritants at officers who finally
expelled them. Outside, protesters broke
windows on the Capitol and assaulted jour-
nalists.
Later, security camera video emerged
The
showing Nearman opening a door to the
Capitol, which was closed to the public be-
cause of the pandemic, allowing protesters
to enter. Nearman allegedly told people in
a video days earlier that he would let them
in if they texted him, and he provided his
cellphone number.
Nearman also faces two misdemean-
or criminal charges related to the Capitol
break-in and has said he will seek a trial
by jury.
in
Week Review
Police Kill Man in Chase
A Clackamas County sheriff’s
shot and killed a person after a sto-
len vehicle pursuit and short foot
chase in outer southeast Portland
shortly after 2 a.m. on Monday.
Deputies reportedly recovered a
handgun near the person. There
was no word on the identity of the
person killed or the deputy.
Held for Violent Protests
A Black man ac-
cused of travel-
ing to Portland to
engage in prop-
erty destruction
during protests
last fall, was in
federal court last
week and then held in jail without
bail pending prosecution. Malik
Fard Muhammad, 24, of Indi-
anapolis, Ind. had earlier been
bailed out of jail on local charges
in connection with violent protests
thanks to donations.
eo showed a white man behind a
string of arson fires set to different
vehicles and structures in north
Portland early last Wednesday
morning. No motive was released.
The suspect, Jesse Austin Small,
faces eight charges of arson.
Juneteenth Voted as Holiday
Oregon lawmakers voted unan-
imously last week to recognize
Juneteenth, a day recognizing the
Emancipation Proclamation, as a
state holiday every June 19, starting
in 2022. The bill was introduced by
Gov. Kate Brown earlier this year.
Vancouver Judge Will Retire
A Clark County judge who made
racist comments about a young
Black man killed by police an-
nounced last week that he plans
to retire. The Vancouver NAACP
and others racial justice advocates
had sought Judge Darvin Zimmer-
man dismissal over his remarks in
March about Kevin Peterson Jr., a
21-year-old Camas man shot by
deputies after he ran from a drug
Racist Lyrics Removed
The Oregon Legislature Monday sting with a gun.
approved changes to the lyrics
‘Mod Squad’ Actor Dies
of Oregon’s state song to remove
Clarence Williams III, who played
racist language and make the lyr-
the cool under-
ics more inclusive. “Oregon, My
cover cop Linc
Oregon” created in 1919, referred
Hayes on the
to Oregon as “conquered and held
counterculture
by free men; fairest and the best.”
series
“The
The new lyrics emphasizing Ore-
Mod
Squad”
gon’s natural beauty.
and Prince’s fa-
ther in “Purple Rain,” died Friday
Arrest in String of Arsons
Arson investigators were able to in Los Angeles after a battle with
make an arrest after security vid- colon cancer. He was 81.