[9] The state House district's Republican Representative, later Congressman, Cliff Bentz, attended the meeting, despite being urged by Harney County Judge Steven Grasty to decline the invitation.
after being given access to the session through a locked outside door by Mike Nearman, a Republican state representative, who was later convicted and expelled from the legislature.
[19] During the turmoil, Heard accused the legislature of being involved in a "campaign against the people and the children of God," ripped off his mask, and left the senate floor.
Within an hour of Heard speaking, protestors stormed the Capitol building, breaching the doors and attacking police officers.
[22] Heard was a co-founder of the Douglas County "Citizens Against Tyranny" organization and described the group in speeches he and state Senator Herman Baertschiger Jr. made at Garden Valley Church in Roseburg.
Heard said the group's online posting of a list of names of whistleblowers who had complained about the failure of local businesses to abide by restrictions imposed to help control the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021.
[23] Heard said Citizens Against Tyranny demanded all county officials sign an endorsement with the group and those who refuse should be "purged" from office.
[24][25] On September 15, 2021, Heard arrived at Douglas High School at 6:30 a.m. intending to make a speech he said some students invited him to deliver.