After Trump victory, Oregonians file petition to secede

In the wake of the presidential election, two Oregon residents have filed a petition to secede from the United States and form a new country, and they’ve invited Washington State to join.

The petition was filed with the Secretary of State’s office in Oregon Thursday.

It asks the Governor and Legislature to “actively pursue Oregon’s peaceful secession from the United States of America.” The petition states the secession can be “alone or in conjunction with other states and Canadian provinces that seek to form a new nation, including but not limited to California, Washington, Hawaii, Nevada, Alaska and British Columbia.”

READ THE OREGON SECESSION ACT

The petition does not cite the election of Donald Trump; however, it was filed less than 48 hours after the election.

The petition mentions several reasons for secession, specifically pointing to irreconcilable differences between Oregon and other states.

“The U.S. Congress no longer is capable of addressing issues important to Oregon and protecting the rights of free people,” the petition reads.

There have been protests across the country in reaction to the results of the presidential election.

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The Oregon petition is for a 2018 ballot initiative. In order to start the ballot title drafting process, the petition must receive 1,000 signatures.