Protesters Angered Over COVID Lockdown Clash with Police at OR State Capitol

A special session of the Oregon state Legislature in Salem was disrupted Monday by protesters opposed to COVID-19 lockdown policies.

Protesters broke glass doors at the largely empty Capitol building, tore tarps from the marble reliefs on the front steps and engaged in a brief standoff with Oregon State Police and Salem police officers.

Police made at least four arrests during the six-hour rally that involved more than 100 protesters, including members of the far-right Patriot Prayer group, USA Today reports.

At around 8:30 a.m., Oregon State Police said protesters entered the Capitol, and at least one used "chemical agents" on officers.