Demonstrators gather in front of Mayor Ted Wheeler's apartment, demand police defunding

Demonstrations unfolding Wednesday mark three consecutive weeks of Portland protests against police brutality and systemic racism.

The city’s daily demonstrations are part of a massive uprising sweeping the nation after the death of George Floyd, a black man who died in late May after a white Minneapolis police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

Demonstrators got an early start Wednesday, gathering this morning in front of Mayor Ted Wheeler’s Northwest Portland apartment.

The estimated 150 to 200 protesters assembled while Wheeler participated in a virtual city council meeting. The demonstrators wanted their voices heard as Wheeler and his colleagues are voting on the city budget.

Wheeler acknowledged the protesters during the meeting.

“I hear you,” he said. “And I see you. And I am with you on this challenging path ahead.”

Demands of the protesters gathered in Northwest Portland include reducing the Portland Police Bureau budget by at least $50 million during the upcoming budget cycle and immediately stop policing protests.

Follow our coverage here: https://www.oregonlive.com/portland/2...