PORTLAND, Ore. – Mayor Ted Wheeler says he just spoke with the Acting Secretary of Homeland Security and told him he wants federal officers off Portland streets.

The announcement comes days after a protester was shot in the head with a crowd control munition.

Donovan LaBella remains in serious condition.

Federal officers also made several arrests during the continued protests calling for racial equity and reform within law enforcement.

Federal officers also used tear gas on the protesters.

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Wheeler says the director expressed concern over violent demonstrations in the last few days.

Wheeler said, “I told the Acting Secretary that my biggest immediate concern is the violence federal officers brought to our streets in recent days, and the life-threatening tactics his agents use. We do not need or want their help.”

Wheeler also said he wants to focus on protecting the community, cleaning up the city, and reopening businesses.

Earlier in the day, Acting DHS Secretary Chad Wolf called on city leaders to end the violence against officers.

KATU spoke with one protester, Kace Freeman, who chained herself to a parking meter across from the Federal Courthouse, near where LaBella was injured.

“I chained myself to this parking meter that’s right next to this pool of blood that belongs to my friend Donovan LaBella,” Freeman said.

Freeman admits the protest is symbolic in nature and said the chain was plastic.

“We have a federal government that is attacking us,” Freeman said. “So it’s my civic duty to be down here.”