People enjoy the nice weather while keeping their distance in Riverfront Park on Thursday, April 9. (Amanda Loman/Salem Reporter)
Gun rights activists will hold a Second Amendment rally beginning noon in Salem’s Riverfront Park on Saturday, May 1.
According to a flier for the event circulating online, the event’s speakers include state Rep. Mike Nearman, a Polk County Republican who has come under scrutiny for letting a group of violent extremists into the Oregon Capitol in December. Also included is Jo Rae Perkins, a supporter of the QAnon conspiracy theory who was the GOP’s U.S. Senate candidate for Oregon last year.
A flier for the rally circulating online.
Last year, Salem saw violent clashes between right-wing and left-wing demonstrators. The Salem Police Department issued a statement in anticipation of the rally indicating that it would seek to prevent a similar clash from taking place.
“Our approach to protests and rallies has remained consistent,” reads the statement. “Regardless of anyone’s political affiliation or ideology, we make enforcement decisions based upon the neutral interests of public safety.”
-Jake Thomas
