Forest Grove forum confrontation leads to arrest, Oregon lawmaker says

FOREST GROVE, Ore. (KTVZ) — A community forum in Forest Grove ended with law enforcement responding and an individual being arrested after state Sen. Janeen Sollman said she was physically accosted Saturday.

Sollman, a Hillsboro Democrat who represents part of Washington County, said the incident happened during a public forum on the grounds of the Fernhill wetlands. She said Pedro Garcia-Balderrama, 28, disrupted the event and was verbally combative toward her and about a dozen people attending.

Sollman said the man focused on data centers and immigration during the disruption, which she said lasted about 10 minutes. She said she stood and asked him to sit down or leave.

The senator said the man then got in her face, cursed at her and grabbed her glasses before police arrived.

According to reports, law enforcement responded to the scene. The individual was arrested and later released pending a court appearance.

The incident drew a joint statement from Senate President Rob Wagner, House Speaker Julie Fahey, Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama and House Majority Leader Ben Bowman.

“Oregonians have every right to be passionate about the issues affecting their communities,” the legislative leaders said. “But that engagement must remain peaceful and respectful.”

The leaders said there is no place in Oregon civic life for intimidation, threats or physical aggression, adding that public officials should be able to meet with constituents without fear that a disagreement will become a physical confrontation.