Armed Protesters Turn the Tables and Storm Oregon Capitol Protesting Government Overreach

Last Thursday, Patriot Prayer’s leader Joey Gibson tweeted out a poster which encouraged all those in Oregon who wanted to “end the lockdown” to show up at a protest this morning at the state capitol in Salem.

Gibson said at the time, “Some groups are going to the Oregon State Capitol on Monday morning. I will try to be there. Please share all over social media!”

Some groups are going to the Oregon State Capitol on Monday morning. I will try to be there. Please share all over social media! pic.twitter.com/zfROOT7SFc

— Patriot Prayer USA Joey Gibson (@PatriotPrayerUS) December 17, 2020

On Friday, Gibson tweeted out an article that the state’s Governor, Kate Brown, was extending the COVID State of Emergency through the beginning of March 2021.

“Everyone in Oregon should go to the capitol Monday 8 am to have your voice heard. Everyone in Washington be ready for Inslee to follow. If you cant make it until March with your business closed then open your doors now,” Gibson said.

Everyone in Oregon should go to the capitol Monday 8 am to have your voice heard. Everyone in Washington be ready for Inslee to follow. If you cant make it until March with your business closed then open your doors now.https://t.co/fdRHW6Em0x

— Patriot Prayer USA Joey Gibson (@PatriotPrayerUS) December 18, 2020

Although they were hoping for 1,000 protesters to show up, the Daily Beast reported about 300 demonstrators showed up and attempted to force their way into two separate entrances of the Oregon State Capitol, outraged lawmakers were holding a special session closed to the public.

Gibson has tweeted out several times regarding the situation, which appears to still be on-going. In one tweet, he showed demonstrators on the “west side” of the “Oregon State Capitol demanding entry.”

On west side if Oregon State Capitol demanding entry. pic.twitter.com/VdOKGkn2x4

— Patriot Prayer USA Joey Gibson (@PatriotPrayerUS) December 21, 2020

Politico reporter Tim Gruver shared a video where an alarm can be heard going off and said, “Protesters have found an entryway into the front of the Oregon capitol. Not clear how they made it this far into antechamber. Police swarming place now.”

Protesters have found an entryway into the front of the Oregon capitol.

Not clear how they made it this far into antechamber.

Police swarming place now. #orleg pic.twitter.com/nYXZ2JqOl3

— Tim A. Gruver (@T_TimeForce) December 21, 2020

A video shared by a local reporter, Virginia Barreda, showed Oregon State Police deploying “blue tear gas at protesters standing at the entrance of the Oregon State Capitol. Most scattered away from the doors, but remain on the grounds.”

Oregon State Police have deployed blue tear gas at protesters standing at the entrance of the Oregon State Capitol. Most scattered away from the doors, but remain on the grounds. #SalemOR #orleg pic.twitter.com/TRdH1S590C

— Virginia Barreda (@vbarreda2) December 21, 2020

Gibson shared a picture of what appeared to be the after-effects of one of the protesters being hit in the face by one of the police projectiles.

pic.twitter.com/7wtEROSeGw

— Patriot Prayer USA Joey Gibson (@PatriotPrayerUS) December 21, 2020