A protest at the Oregon State Capitol turned violent on Monday after a group of rallygoers beat counterprotesters. (Chris Ward/Special to Salem Reporter)
A planned event at the Capitol turned violent Monday as members of an “American Lives Matter Rally” beat and pepper sprayed counter protesters.
The Labor Day event, planned from noon to 4 p.m., was joined by a group that splintered off from a pro-Trump convoy that went from Oregon City to Woodburn around 3:30 p.m., according to Tim Fox, Oregon State Police spokesman.
Rally-goers carried assault rifles and large Trump flags.
Around 4 p.m. both groups started to fight, with two men chasing down a counter protester, pushing the person to the ground and punching them.
Two men were arrested by Salem police.
Ty Anthony Parker, 53, of Durango, Colo., was charged with fourth-degree assault and first-degree intimidation.
Trenton Leonard Wolfskill, 37, of Eugene, was charged with fourth-degree assault.
-Saphara Harrell
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