Protestors with the Occupy Oregon Convoy gather at the Oregon State Capitol Friday, March 18 (Ardeshir Tabrizian/Salem Reporter)
Over 100 people gathered outside the Oregon State Capitol Friday afternoon as part of the Occupy Oregon Convoy, a protest against Covid-related mandates.
Salem police warned Friday morning the event might cause traffic delays near the Capitol and downtown.
The event began at noon. By 2 p.m., attendees were mostly gathered in the state park across from the Capitol, with some trucks and vehicles parked along Court Street Northeast in front of the Capitol. Traffic was able to move down the street.
The convoy was organized by Oregon Citizens United. The group said in a press release that the protest will demand all statewide mask and vaccines mandates be permanently lifted. The group added that it disavows any form of violence and vandalism during the protest.
Oregon’s indoor mask mandate lifted March 12 except for a masking requirement in health care settings. A vaccination mandate for state employees is set to lift April 1, though mandates will remain in place for health care workers and K-12 educators and school employees.
People can find any city traffic or police advisories on Salem police media platforms, the agency said in its statement.
-Ardeshir Tabrizian
