Oregon Democratic leaders canceled plans to hold a session Saturday after several groups vowed to protest in support of the Republican senators’ who walked out this week to avoid a vote on a massive climate bill.

Marion County Republicans, which had organized an “Occupy the Senate” rally for Saturday and a number of Three Percenter militia groups canceled their Saturday protests, too, but encouraged turnout Sunday, when Senate President Peter Courtney had scheduled a 10 a.m. session. It’s unclear whether he’ll move forward with the Sunday plan.

The weekend meetings are relatively unusual, but they increased pressure on the Republican senators who are being fined $500 for every floor session they miss. Republican senators have scoffed at the fines, saying that they’re illegal and that they plan to sue over having their wages garnished.

On Saturday afternoon, 2018 Republican gubernatorial candidate Knute Buehler tweeted that he donated $5,000 to a political action committee formed to help the Republican senators. “The Dem supermajorities have taken advantage of power and gone too far,” wrote Buehler, a former state representative. He added that lawmakers have shown “a total disregard for how Oregonians will continue to afford to live, work, and raise a family here.”

I #StandWithOurSenators and donated $5K to the cause. The Dem supermajorities have taken advantage of power and gone too far. This #ORLeg has been a total disregard for how Oregonians will continue to afford to live, work, and raise a family here. https://t.co/CgGK5pc48a #orpol — Knute Buehler (@KnuteBuehler) June 22, 2019

In the meantime, senator sightings were popping up across social media Saturday.

B.J. Soper, a leader with the Central Oregon Constitutional Guard, posted on Facebook that he’d bumped into Sen. Dennis Linthicum, R-Klamath Falls, at breakfast.

“I order bacon and eggs, the wife orders huevos rancheros, the kiddo a Mickey Mouse pancake. I look across the room and lo and behold who do I see sipping a cup of joe??? SENATOR DENNIS LITHICUM,” Soper wrote. “I walk over and say ‘What in the hell are you doing here?’

“He says, ‘Good morning!! Having bacon and eggs just like you.’ I’m astonished at his candid attitude and I say ‘Man, (Oregon State Police) is on the lookout and this is a bold move.’

“He tells me, ‘It’s ok, I’m not worried, pretty sure the boys have me covered,’” Soper wrote. “He looks up at the table across from him as 4 dudes raise their cups up to acknowledge. I couldn’t help but smile! I said “OK, carry on and be safe. Let me know if I can help!!”

A Boise TV reporter also caught up with Bend Sen. Tim Knopp, who said he was sitting in a cabin near a lake. Knopp told him that he’d heard from the superintendent of the state police and Gov. Kate Brown. He maintained that he and other Republicans would come back for a vote on 39 budget bills, which would otherwise die at midnight on June 30.

He also said they’d come back for “bipartisan, bicameral agreement" on a carbon bill that’s less complicated and wouldn’t “cost so many Oregonians their jobs and livelihoods.” The current legislation, House Bill 2020, would dramatically reduce fossil fuel emissions by 2050. It would be the second program of its kind in the nation after California if passed.

For drivers, the bill would mean higher gas and diesel prices -- significantly higher as time goes on. And it’s true that the price impact would fall heaviest on rural residents, who travel longer distances, drive vehicles that are less fuel efficient and have fewer public transit options. They also have lower incomes, on average.

#New - Just spoke with #Oregon Republican Senator Tim Knopp, who left Oregon with the rest of the #GOP Senators to prevent a vote on a cap-and-trade bill. Knopp says he believes some Senators may be in #Idaho to avoid Oregon State Police. Catch our interview at 4pm on @KTVB pic.twitter.com/l1Ix75kdoP — Joe Parris (@KTVBJoe) June 21, 2019

Knopp said Republicans are prepared to stay out of Salem through June 30 – and longer if necessary.

The Democratic Party of Oregon amped up its rhetoric, too, distributing a “wanted” sign on Twitter calling Senate Republicans “Fugitives from justice (and their jobs). Instead of doing their jobs, Oregon Senate Republicans are ON THE RUN. Reports indicate they may be in this vicinity!”

Oregon Senate Republicans are hurting Oregonians across the state -- including in their own districts -- by refusing to show up for a vote. It's time for them to come back to Salem and do their jobs. pic.twitter.com/frDJGnzx1E — Oregon Democrats (@ORDems) June 21, 2019

On Friday night, the Oregon State Police issued a statement saying it had been “monitoring information throughout the day that indicates the safety of legislators, staff and citizen visitors could be compromised if certain threatened behaviors were realized.”

Carol Currie, spokeswoman for Senate President Peter Courtney, said the police agency had recommended that the Capitol be closed tomorrow due to a possible “militia threat.”

By noon on Saturday, about two dozen people were milling on the Capitol steps, waving at the honks from passers-by. Some wore Three Percenters of Oregon insignias, while others sported “Oregon Women for Trump” signs and clothing.