Eugene man arrested after climbing Capitol flag pole

By KVAL News Published: May 10, 2012 at 1:57 PM PDT

SALEM, Ore. - A Eugene man climbed 80 feet up a flag pole at the state Capitol on Thursday morning and hung a banner before climbing down and surrendering to police.

Oregon State Police troopers arrested Perry Thompson Graham, 23, after he voluntarily climbed down from the flag pole after about 90 minutes.

Police said Graham climbed up the flagpole around 7:45 a.m. as five protesters from Cascadia Forest Defenders stood by on the ground.

Graham surrendered to police at 9:24 a.m. but left the banner on the pole.

Graham was taken to the Marion County Jail on charges of Disorderly Conduct, Criminal Trespass in the Second Degree and Criminal Mischief in the Second Degree.

Police said arrangements were being made to rent equipment to remove the banner left attached to the flag pole.