Portland, OR — Portland’s Mayor Ted Wheeler, joined the protests and was gassed with tear gas while standing in a crowd outside a fenced-in courthouse building. The protest continues to occur as a response against the presence of agents sent by President Donald Trump to curb protests in the city.
The biggest city in Oregon continues to have an anti-racist protest, inspired by Black Lives Matter and has been taking place for several weeks in Portland. President Trump sent in federal forces — many who are unidentifed — which have caused many issues in the city.
Democratic Mayor Ted Wheeler was stunned after being tear-gassed and admitted it was the first time it had ever happened to him. Despite being sprayed, Wheeler did not leave his position on the front line and continued to receive gas outside the Mark O. Hatfield Courthouse in the northern city.
In a video that went viral on Twitter, viewers could see he looked slightly dazed and after coughing, nearby bystanders handed him a pair of goggles.
Moments before, many booed Mayor Wheeler as he tried to rally protesters who have clashed daily with federal agents, but received brief applause when he yelled “Black Lives Matter” and raised his fist up high.
The mayor has opposed the presence of government forces in Portland, but faced harsh criticism from many sides and his presence was not well received by many, who yelled and insulted him.
“I want to thank the thousands of you who have opposed the Trump administration’s occupation of this city,” Wheeler told hundreds of people downtown, in a statement via Wbur news. “The reason why this is important because it is not happening only in Portland (…) Here we are on the front line.”
Mayor Wheeler has been criticized by business leaders, members of the city council, and local residents, because of failing to control local police before the arrival of federal troops.
