‘Militia threat’ shuts down Oregon statehouse

cap and trade oregon

FILE - In this June 12, 2019, file photo, a truck moves around the Oregon state Capitol during a protest against climate bills that truckers say will put them out of business, in Salem, Ore. Oregon is on the precipice of becoming the second state after California to adopt a cap-and-trade program, a market-based approach to lowering the greenhouse gas emissions behind global warming. (AP Photo/Sarah Zimmerman, File) APAP

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SALEM -- A “possible militia threat” is shutting down the Oregon statehouse amid an ongoing walkout by Republican lawmakers who are blocking a vote on landmark climate change legislation with their absence.

A spokeswoman for the Senate President confirmed late Friday that the "Oregon State Police has recommended that the Capitol be closed tomorrow due to a possible militia threat."

Militia offer Oregon Senators ‘security,' Republicans aren't 'accepting the help'

Members of the Three Percenters of Oregon, a group that joined in the Malheur National Wildlife Refuge takeover, say they will provide Oregon Republican Senators who walked out of the state Capitol “security” and “refuge.”

Gov. Kate Brown has deployed the state police to round up Republican senators who fled the Legislature — and in some cases, the state — to thwart passage of a climate proposal that would dramatically lower fossil fuel emissions by 2050.

Right-wing militia groups said they would protest at the Capitol on Saturday as lawmakers convened.

It’s unclear if the “militia threat” was related to the protest or is something additional.

-- The Associated Press

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