A 53-year-old Durango man taking part in a right-wing rally for President Donald Trump in Salem, Oregon, on Monday was arrested for allegedly assaulting a counterprotester, according to law enforcement.
Oregon State Police Capt. Timothy Fox said an event called “American Lives Matter Rally & March” took place at the Oregon State Capitol steps in Salem from noon to 4 p.m. Monday
About 150 people showed up for the initial event, Fox said. About 30 to 50 counterprotesters also attended.
At about 3:30 p.m., another 45 to 60 people arrived in a “vehicle convoy,” and about 30 minutes later, “the groups began to engage each other ... shooting what was reported to be paintball and/or (teargas) projectiles at each other,” Fox said.
The American Lives Matter Rally group then ran across the street, chasing and pushing the counterprotesters, he said.
As a result of the skirmish, Ty Anthony Parker, 53, of Durango was arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault and first-degree intimidation.
Attempts to reach Parker were unsuccessful Tuesday morning.
Another man, Trenton Leonard Wolfskill, 37, of Eugene, Oregon, was also arrested on suspicion of misdemeanor assault.
“Troopers will continue to conduct follow-up investigation on other criminal reports taken during this event,” Fox said.
According to The Oregonian, the rally was organized by Oregon For Trump 2020, with speakers at the event voicing their opposition to weeks of protests in Oregon and throughout the country in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The Oregonian reported some in the right-wing group “carried guns, baseball bats, sticks and pipes.” Videos on social media show right-wing protesters tackling and assaulting counterprotesters with weapons, fists and pepper spray.
“After unfolding a large American flag on the steps of the Capitol, right-wing protesters charged counterprotesters, leaving several injured. Right-wing protesters made a second rush later, tackling and beating at least one person, leading to two arrests,” The Oregonian reported, referring to Parker and Wolfskill.
Parker is the husband of La Plata County Clerk and Recorder Tiffany Parker, but Tiffany Parker said Tuesday she has been separated from her husband since January and is in the process of a divorce.
“I would never approve or support his actions or others in this manner,” she said in a statement to The Durango Herald. “Any violence is unacceptable. I want the community to know how much I value and appreciate everyone.”
jromeo@durangoherald.com
