Oregon State Capitol breach

{{Short description|2020 breach of the Oregon State Capitol}}

{{use American English|date=August 2021}}

{{use mdy dates|date=August 2021}}

{{Infobox civil conflict

| title = Oregon State Capitol breach

| subtitle =

| partof = COVID-19 anti-lockdown protests in the United States

| image =

| date = December 21, 2020

| time-begin = 8:30 a.m.

| time-end = 3:30 p.m.

| timezone = UTC-7

| place = Oregon State Capitol, Salem, Oregon, U.S.

| coordinates = {{coord|44.938466|-123.030374}}

| causes = Opposition to COVID-19 mitigation measures

| goals =

| result =

| casualties_label =

| fatalities = 0

| injuries = 4+

| charged = Mike Nearman

| arrests = Four arrested at scene

| damage =

| buildings =

| detentions =

| fined =

| notes =

| sidebox =

}}

On December 21, 2020, a group of protesters demonstrated at the Oregon State Capitol against health restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic in Oregon.{{cite news |title=Republican who let violent protesters into Oregon state capitol is charged |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/01/oregon-state-capitol-republican-charged |access-date=August 12, 2021 |work=The Guardian |date=May 1, 2021 |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813004415/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/may/01/oregon-state-capitol-republican-charged |url-status=live}} A security video released in January 2021 showed Representative Mike Nearman allowing armed protesters to enter through a side door, after which Nearman circled the building and entered from the other side. The Oregon House of Representatives voted 59–1 to expel him for his actions.{{cite news |last1=Borrud |first1=Hillary |title=Oregon Rep. Mike Nearman expelled from Legislature in historic 59-1 rebuke |url=https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2021/06/oregon-legislators-expel-rep-mike-nearman-who-helped-armed-protesters-enter-capitol.html |access-date=August 12, 2021 |work=The Oregonian |date=June 10, 2021 |archive-date=August 13, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210813005835/https://www.oregonlive.com/politics/2021/06/oregon-legislators-expel-rep-mike-nearman-who-helped-armed-protesters-enter-capitol.html |url-status=live}} He later pled guilty to first-degree official misconduct.{{cite news |last1=VanderHart |first1=Dirk |title=Former Rep. Mike Nearman pleads guilty to official misconduct in Oregon Capitol incursion |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2021/07/27/former-oregon-rep-mike-nearman-guilty-plea-salem-capitol-incursion/ |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=July 27, 2021 |work=Oregon Public Broadcasting}}

The protesters included members of the Proud Boys, Patriot Prayer, and supporters of QAnon.{{cite web |last1=Withycombe |first1=Claire |last2=Barreda |first2=Virginia |title=4 arrests made after protesters attempt to enter Oregon State Capitol during session |url=https://www.statesmanjournal.com/story/news/politics/2020/12/21/protesters-gather-oregon-legislature-starts-special-session/3993102001/ |website=Statesman Journal |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=December 22, 2020}}{{cite news |title=Lawmakers remove state legislator over Oregon Capitol breach |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/lawmakers-remove-state-legislator-over-oregon-capitol-breach-n1270445 |work=NBC News |agency=Associated Press |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=June 11, 2021}} One person maced police officers, while others vandalized the building and another assaulted two journalists.{{cite news |last1=VanderHart |first1=Dirk |last2=Wilson |first2=Conrad |title=Oregon lawmaker who opened state Capitol to far-right protesters faces criminal charges |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2021/04/30/oregon-rep-mike-nearman-criminal-charges-state-capitol-breach/ |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=May 3, 2021 |work=Oregon Public Broadcasting}} At least three of the protesters present at the Oregon State Capitol later participated in the January 6 United States Capitol attack.{{cite news |last1=Olmos |first1=Sergio |last2=Wilson |first2=Conrad |title=At least 3 men from Oregon protest appear to have joined insurrection at U.S. Capitol |url=https://www.opb.org/article/2021/01/10/oregon-washington-protest-insurrection-david-anthony-medina-tim-davis/ |work=Oregon Public Broadcasting |access-date=January 11, 2023 |date=January 10, 2021}}