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A tiny bird interrupted Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders’ rally in Portland, Oregon on Friday afternoon. It flew up to the Democratic presidential hopeful’s podium, “I think there may be some symbolism here,” the Senator said, adding although it didn’t look like it, the bird was a dove “asking us world peace.”

The crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

Or, it could be symbolic of something else. Welcome to Portland, Sen. Sanders, where the sketch comedy Portlandia popularized the refrain, “put a bird on it” as a way to describe the city’s aesthetic.

A young Bernie Sanders fan in Portland, Oregon. Photograph: Lauren Dake/The Guardian

Thousands listened Sanders speak in Oregon on Friday afternoon. Large crowds have turned out for Sanders’ rallies throughout the Pacific Northwest this week.

The Senator is on a mission to capture delegates from his rival and Democratic frontrunner Clinton. This Saturday, Washington state will hold its caucuses, with 101 delegates at stake. Oregon’s primary is in May.

Sanders hit familiar themes during the Portland rally; he spoke of making college and universities tuition free by taxing Wall Street speculation, he mentioned taking on the fossil-fuel industry, and of raising the national minimum wage to $15.

“The truth is, if you work 40 hours a week, you should not be living in poverty,” he said.

He spoke of the Iraq war and noted Clinton’s vote in favor of the war.

“She was wrong. I was right,” he said.

Fans of Bernie Sanders embrace in Portland, Oregon. Photograph: Lauren Dake/The Guardian

When he spoke of universal health care, saying health care is a right for all people, the crowd broke into chants of, “Bernie! Bernie! Bernie!”

Sanders also touted paid family leave, demilitarizing the police and respecting people’s choices to love whomever they choose.

Retired millworker Gary Johnston attended two Sanders’ rallies this week. He noted the Clinton campaign’s criticism of Sanders, calling him a single-issue candidate. But Johnston, 71, said its the presidential hopeful’s commitment to his message the country needs right now.

“He’s what you might call anti flip-flop,” Johnston said of the presidential candidate.

Sanders closed the rally urging people to vote.

“It is my hope and my belief both Washington and Oregon are prepared to help lead this country into a political revolution,” Sanders said.

The city’s famous Voodoo Doughnut shop had a large doughnut made in Sanders’ likeliness, presumably for him to enjoy after the rally.