More than 200 protesters “celebrated” the Portland mayor’s birthday on Monday night with a riot outside his home.
The video: The masked and black-clad protesters marched to Ted Wheeler’s condominium in the Oregon city behind a banner that read “Resign,” before beginning what they called the “unhappy birthday” festivities around 10 p.m.
- Participants handed out party hats, blew up balloons and danced the “Macarena” as a picnic table, a garbage can and other furniture burned in street.
- “Happy tear gas, war crimes Wheeler/Happy tear gas to you,” they sang to the tune of “Happy Birthday.”
The group also set off fireworks outside the residential building in Portland’s Pearl District and chanted, “Quit your job.”
- Some protesters sprayed graffiti and broke windows.
At around 11 p.m., police declared a riot and dispersed the group.
Wheeler, a Democrat, turned 58 years old on Monday.
A history of violence: Portland has seen 95 consecutive nights of protests and rioting, part of nationwide unrest in the name of racial justice and radical police reform.
- Tensions have risen in the city since Aaron “Jay” Danielson, 39, was shot dead on Saturday night as a pro-Trump caravan organized by Patriot Prayer, a right-wing group he supported, clashed with counterprotesters.
Wheeler, who is also the police chief, has sought to show solidarity with local protesters and their cause while publicly feuding with President Donald Trump.
- But destructive crowds have repeatedly gathered outside his home and demanded he resign.
Also on Sunday, Oregon Gov. Kate Brown announced a plan to end violent protests in Portland with support from local, state and federal law enforcement.
“I will not allow Patriot Prayer and armed white supremacists to bring more bloodshed to our streets,” she said.
