Protesters Disrupt Portland City Council Meeting

The Portland City Council had trouble getting their meeting underway on Wednesday. Protesters - upset that the city had not done more to prevent the stillborn death of a baby that was delivered by a homeless woman at a bus shelter earlier this month.

The whereabouts of the mother - who officials believe had not sought care - are unknown. Officials believe she is a homeless woman who is suffering from mental illness.

Mayor Ted Wheeler and other officials have called the incident a tragedy and expressed regret that the woman had apparently slipped through the cracks.

The meeting, which had started around 9:30, was put on hold about thirty minutes later when protesters refused to stop interrupting speakers. That led to the lights being turned out and the city commissioners leaving the chambers.

The meeting resumed around 10:30 but again only lasted about 30 minutes before another recess was called.

Wheeler agreed to meet with protesters outside City Hall but it didn't go well as they returned to the council chambers and again disrupted the meeting.

At one point, more than one dozen police arrived at City Hall but they appeared to be there just in case more than anything else.

Protesters say the city isn't doing enough to help the homeless - something they say was made clear by the stillborn death.

Photo City of Portland