Protests occupy Portland City Hall over plight of homeless

PORTLAND – Protesters occupied Portland’s City Hall over the plight of a mentally ill homeless woman who was found standing on the street with her stillborn baby in her arms earlier this month.

The protesters gathered outside City Hall Wednesday morning and then entered the building, where they took over City Council chambers during a meeting of commissioners.

The demonstrators discussed how the city could better help the homeless.

The Oregonian/OregonLive reports most of the protesters left after Mayor Ted Wheeler said he would meet with them later on. The council resumed its meeting.

The demonstrators were drawing attention to a stillborn baby who was being carried by his homeless mother at a bus stop on Jan. 9. The mother was taken to a hospital for a mental health evaluation.