OSP says trooper's hand signal at Salem protest wasn't racist

SALEM, Ore. — Oregon State Police said it has investigated concerns among the public that a trooper displayed a hand signal in support of white supremacy.

After reviewing the trooper’s body camera video, as well as other body camera videos from other troopers, OSP said it determined its trooper did not engage in any racist behavior.

The incident occurred at a protest at the Capitol in Salem and the concern stemmed from video posted on social media.

Counter-protesters had shown up at the protest.

OSP said there was a physical altercation between two protesters and one man was knocked to the ground.

OSP said the trooper in question approached the man and asked if he was OK while at the same time displaying the hand signal for “OK.”

State police noted the trooper was wearing a face covering and it was loud at the protest.

Body Camera Footage From OSP Troopers:

“Best available evidence indicates the trooper was simply checking on the man's status and used the universal signal to signify this inquiry, which the man gestured he was -- then patted this trooper and a second trooper on their shoulders in an apparent signal of appreciation. The man was the victim of a crime,” OSP said in a news release.

The other man in the altercation, 50-year-old Christopher Davis of Salem was arrested. He was taken to the Marion County jail, where he faces charges of disorderly conduct and harassment.

“OSP condemns all racist behaviors and does not allow white supremacist behaviors by our officers and staff,” OSP said in its news release. “We appreciate that the public would be concerned and rightfully outraged if an OSP trooper were to flash an offensive gesture. We would share in that outrage and concern. In this instance, we would ask the public await the complete information before condemning a trooper with an irreparable and harmful label. Additionally, some members of the public are misidentifying the trooper in the video with another trooper who was working the event.”

The Anti-Defamation League added the "OK" hand gesture to its database of hate symbols.

On its website, the sign is described as: "A common hand gesture that a 4chan trolling campaign claimed in 2017 had been appropriated as a symbol meaning 'white power.' Used by many on the right--not just extremists--for the purpose of trolling liberals, the symbol eventually came to be used by actual white supremacists as well. Caution must be used in evaluating instances of this symbol's use."