Demonstrators confront reporters and counter-protesters at a pro-Trump rally at the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Salem made it through hours of political protests Saturday with a half dozen arrests, none of the vandalism that was feared and police tightly controlling events through the end.
A “Stop the Steal” rally sponsored by a group called Oregonians for America staged first, gathering around noon in front of the Capitol. The demonstration drew several hundred people, including those labeling themselves as part of the Proud Boys group.
The event formed not long after national media networks declared that former Vice President Joe Biden had won the presidential election. President Donald Trump and his supporters claimed the election involved widespread voter fraud.
At the Capitol rally, demonstrators waved U.S. flags, Trump banners and handmade signs. Rifles and other military style guns were evident, and at one point, demonstrators confronted journalists covering the rally, with one yelling that the press was responsible for the political divide in the country.
Occasional shoving matches and scuffles broke out. Oregon State Police troopers on foot and on bicycles patrolled the area.
A second rally lead by the Pacific Northwest Community Action Group of Portland had been planned for later in the afternoon at the Capitol. That event was switched to Pringle Park, about four blocks south of the Capitol. Many of those attending dressed in black. Some had helmets, gas masks, paintball guns and shields. A handful labeled packs with the red cross of medics.
The most obvious show of force by police came when protesters at the park went on the march. At the intersection of Southeast Church and Trade Streets, Salem police were stationed with an armored vehicle and at least three SUVs with police in riot gear standing on ramps along the sides.
Police declared the event an unlawful assembly, but allowed protesters allowed to march to the Capitol, requiring them to stay on the sidewalks. The marchers taunted police, some complaining that their demonstration drew police in riot gear while the Trump rally got cops on bikes.
Police didn’t deploy crowd control devices such as tear gas or rubber bullets.
Earlier in the day, crews at a handful of businesses in downtown Salem put up plywood sheeting. Other businesses closed early, prompted by a warning on Friday from city officials that there was a “high likelihood” of vandalism. Police later said the rallies didn’t make it to the downtown business core and there were no reports of damage.
Salem police said they made two arrests after the rallies broke up, arresting one person for unlawful possession of a weapon and one for interfering with a police officer. Their identities weren’t immediately available.
The state police said those it arrested included Nathan Arnett, 29, of Molalla, accused of fourth-degree assault and unlawful use of pepper spray; Jeffrey Mustin, 37, of Eugene, accused of fourth-degree assault and unlawful possession of a firearm; Ryan Swanzey, 32, of Portland, accused of disorderly conduct and offensive littering; and Jesse Baughman, 22, of Salem, accused of disorderly conduct and interfering with police.
The agency said that it was “aware of other criminal behavior during the night and will continue to investigate those reports.”
Trump supporters rally outside the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7 as part of a “Stop the Steal” protest. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Proud Boys and their supporters pose for a photo during the pro-Trump ‘Stop the Steal’ rally on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Trump supporters rally outside the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7 as part of a “Stop the Steal” protest. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Trump supporters rally outside the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7 as part of a “Stop the Steal” protest. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Trump supporters rally outside the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7 as part of a “Stop the Steal” protest. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Trump supporters rally outside the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7 as part of a “Stop the Steal” protest. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Proud Boys and their supporters pose for a photo during the pro-Trump ‘Stop the Steal’ rally on Saturday, Nov. 7, at Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump ‘Stop the Steal’ rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter) 
A pro-Trump ‘Stop the Steal’ rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A handful of counter-protesters stood nearby during the “Stop the Steal” rally on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump supporter argues with counter-protestors during a rally on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Demonstrators carry weapons at a pro-Trump rally at the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Police and bystanders help a woman who was hit with chemical spray by someone at the pro-Trump rally at the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Police and bystanders help a woman who was hit with chemical spray by someone at the pro-Trump rally at the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Trump supporters rally outside the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7, as part of a “Stop the Steal” protest. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Trump supporters rally outside the Capitol on Saturday, Nov. 7, as part of a “Stop the Steal” protest. (David Hallett/Special to Salem Reporter)
Oregon State Police intervene after a scuffle at the pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Oregon State Police intervene after a scuffle at the pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal'”rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal'”rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A pro-Trump “Stop the Steal” rally was held on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the Capitol. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
THE SECOND RALLY
A rally planned by Pacific Northwest Community Action Group changed its location to Pringle Park on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A rally planned by Pacific Northwest Community Action Group changed its location to Pringle Park on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
A rally planned by Pacific Northwest Community Action Group changed its location to Pringle Park on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
THE EVENING IN SALEM
A march in Salem on Saturday, Nov. 7, looped to the Capitol. Police made a strong show but didn’t deploy crowd control elements such as tear gas or rubber bullets. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
A march in Salem on Saturday, Nov. 7, looped to the Capitol. Police made a strong show but didn’t deploy crowd control elements such as tear gas or rubber bullets. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
A march in downtown Salem on Saturday, Nov. 7, looped to the Capitol. Police made a strong show but didn’t deploy crowd control elements such as tear gas or rubber bullets. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
A march in downtown Salem on Saturday, Nov. 7, looped to the Capitol. Police made a strong show but didn’t deploy crowd control elements such as tear gas or rubber bullets. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
A march in downtown Salem on Saturday, Nov. 7, looped to the Capitol. Police made a strong show but didn’t deploy crowd control elements such as tear gas or rubber bullets. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
A march in downtown Salem on Saturday, Nov. 7, looped to the Capitol. Police made a strong show but didn’t deploy crowd control elements such as tear gas or rubber bullets. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
ANTICIPATION – DOWNTOWN READIES
The Gatsby Boutique, 379 State St. in Salem, closed early as Salem officials warned downtown businesses and residents of potential vandalism from demonstrations on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
Crews board up a downtown Salem business as officials warned downtown businesses and residents of potential vandalism from demonstrations on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
Crews board up the Wild Pear, 372 State St. in Salem as officials warned downtown businesses and residents of potential vandalism from demonstrations on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
Crews board up a downtown Salem business as officials warned downtown businesses and residents of potential vandalism from demonstrations on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
Archive Coffee and Bar, 102 Liberty St. N.E. in Salem, goes dark after officials warned downtown businesses and residents of potential vandalism from demonstrations on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
The French Unicorn, 170 Liberty St. N.E. in Salem, is shielded after officials warned downtown businesses and residents of potential vandalism from demonstrations on Saturday, Nov. 7. (Joshua Gillis/Special to Salem Reporter)
