Portland’s far-left Mayor Ted Wheeler released a video address shortly after being tear-gassed in a riot Thursday asking the federal government to “stop terrorizing us” and “stop destroying our community.” “All of us are saying to our federal government, stop terrorizing us. Stop putting us in danger. Stop destroying our community,” posted Wheeler on social media.

Wheeler reportedly witnessed a blatant arson attack during riots late Wednesday night; seemingly doing nothing before being tear-gassed when the crowd turned even more violent.

“The tear gas… it’s indiscriminate,” Wheeler told reporters, sanding in a swarm of protesters on the street outside the Mark Hatfield Federal Courthouse at 11:45 pm. Wheeler, who had just been hit by a heavy volley of gas, said he didn’t believe the public’s actions warranted the use of tear gas and munitions.

“There are a lot of people out here who are not doing anything wrong,” he added, looking over his shoulder at several hundred demonstrators. “They’re loud—they’re saying ‘Fuck you Ted’ a lot, but that’s legal. That constitutionally protected speech.”

Wheeler held a tense meeting with protesters late Wednesday night where he was booed, told to resign by the demonstrators, and ultimately tear-gassed after a riot erupted. “His visit ended with his security detail engaging in a struggle with protesters late Wednesday night as they worked to get the mayor to safety,” reports Fox News.

“As Wheeler left, a few protesters following him tried to push against his security team once he had entered a building. Others threw water bottles and other projectiles at the glass door,” adds Fox.

“I think what we’re doing tonight is actually the best thing we can do right now,” Wheeler told the crowd. “Be here, be heard, be unified, and be clear. We didn’t want them, we didn’t ask for them, they’re not trained for what they’re being asked to do. And we want them to leave.”

“What is this publicity stunt?” yelled a man in the crowd as Wheeler spoke to reporters through fogged-up goggles. “You were gassing people a month ago!” Wheeler left before midnight, coughing and downing a bottle of water as he made his way out of the haze. Before leaving, a reporter asked if he’d now consider banning PPB’s use of tear gas – an action he declined to take in June.

“Yes, I would absolutely consider it,” Wheeler said, wheezing. “I hate it.”

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