Oregon Speaker of the House Tink Kotek revealed during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 7 that Republican state lawmaker Mike Nearman opened the door to allow violent right-wing protestors into the State Capitol during a special session last month, something he is now under investigation for by Oregon State Police.
During the press conference on pandemic-related operations safety, Kotek stated about the incident, “This was a serious, serious breach of public trust.”
Nearman, who represents Benton, Marion, Polk, and Yamhill counties, allegedly let the protesters, some armed, into the building during a special session on December 21, 2020, while the Capitol was closed to the public. The demonstrators were there to protest Gov. Kate Brown’s shutdown of businesses due to the COVID pandemic.
On the day of the protest, the demonstration was declared an unlawful assembly and four people were arrested. The glass door to the side of the Capitol building was broken, and the demonstration delayed lawmakers, who were meeting at the time to pass pandemic relief bills.
As a result of his actions, Kotek told KOIN 6 that she and others are considering possible consequences for Nearman, expulsion included.
Though OSP would not confirm to KOIN 6 that Nearman is under investigation, the news source did discover that OSP is reviewing building surveillance video and is conducting enhanced safety training for lawmakers and the Capitol building for other possible dangerous demonstrations.
In 2018, it was discovered that Nearman was connected to the hate group Oregonians for Immigration Reform (OFIR). The group, according to an Advocate article, was designated as an anti-immigrant hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center in 2017, has a “causal relationship with white supremacy,” and has been affiliated with Oregon’s militia movement. Nearman, at the time, was listed as the organization’s vice president, but he denied holding this position, though he admitted to being on their Board of Directors.
In 2020, Nearman is not listed as an officer for OFIR, but it is unknown whether he still serves on the Board of Directors.
With the Nearman incident, COVID, and the US Capitol and Oregon State Capitol breeches, lawmakers face many threats as they prepare for their six-month session beginning on Jan. 19, which will be held virtually.
By Cara Nixon
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