Oregon Republican Party Officers’ Statement on Convention Disruption

Portland,OR. – During the Oregon Republican Party State Convention, an altercation occurred in a room near the one where the convention was meeting. Law enforcement was called to the scene. After collecting statements and reviewing the hotel’s surveillance video, the authorities determined that no charges were warranted and no one was seriously injured.

The scheduled banquet followed with no further disruption.

Except for the right to self-defense, Oregon Republican Party abhors and condemns all physical violence, which has no place in political discourse in a civil society. We stand strongly in favor of respectful and vigorous debate and exchange of ideas. When passionate disagreement runs high, the need for civility and self-control increases. As a party we expect our members to conduct themselves with civility and grace; physical violence is reprehensible and unacceptable. Such behavior may be tolerated in other quarters, but it will never be tolerated in the Oregon Republican Party.