Security footage from outside the Oregon Capitol and two interior angles shows new details about Rep. Mike Nearman’s actions to help angry demonstrators enter the building and more details about what happened next.
The breaching of the Capitol occurred the morning of Dec. 21, as Oregon lawmakers met in special session to help renters and residents heavily impacted by coronavirus and deadly wildfires.
Nearman, a Republican who lives outside the city of Independence, opened two doors, enabling a couple protesters who were waiting outside a side door to the Capitol to enter and hold the doors open as they waved for fellow demonstrators, mostly unmasked and some carrying protest flags, to enter. Salem Police and Oregon State troopers tried but ultimately failed to keep them out of the building, which has been closed to the public for months due to coronavirus.
Demonstrators used noxious spray to get through the police line and enter into a building vestibule. But, unlike extremists at the U.S. Capitol last week, they did not batter their way through glass doors and make it into close proximity to lawmakers or into their offices or onto the House or Senate floor. After police contained the interlopers to a vestibule, police removed the people from the building. At least two men have been arrested in connection with the incident.
OPB reported that one of the people it identified in the Oregon Capital security footage, David Anthony Medina of Sherwood, was also seen on video inside the U.S. Capitol during the insurrection there last week.
Nearman is one of the subjects under investigation by the Oregon State Police, the agency confirmed last week. In a statement released on Sunday, House Republican Leader Christine Drazan, of Canby, expressed support for the inquiry.
“Though I do not agree with the decision to close the Capitol to the public, a recently released video shows Rep. Nearman opened a door and violent protesters then entered the Capitol,” Drazan said. “The melee with police which follows is difficult to watch without a profound sense of gratitude to the troopers who were able to prevent further violence that could have recklessly put more people in harm’s way. The impacts to the Capitol community are an elevated risk for violence within the building, which is significant.”
“The investigation into this incident by law enforcement is underway and must be allowed to be completed,” Drazan continued. “If the investigation finds that actions taken were criminal, legislators are not above the law and will be held responsible. As we affirm the need for due process and the right of the public to fully engage in the work of the Legislature, we commit to protect public safety and hold accountable to those who would willfully undermine that commitment.”
-- Betsy Hammond; betsyhammond@oregonian.com; @OregonianPol
-- Hillary Borrud; hborrud@oregonian.com; @HBorrud