US: Women Form Wall Of Moms To Protect Protesters From Officers In Portland

Supported by

A group of over 30 women formed a ‘wall of moms’ to protect hundreds of protesters from federal officers during a Black Lives Matter protest in Portland, Oregon, during the weekend.

In the videos of the incident that has gone viral, crowds can be heard chanting, ‘Feds stay clear, moms are here!’ and ‘Feds go home!’ In the images and videos, several women dressed in white and wearing bike helmets can be seen with their elbows linked.

Incredible scene in Portland right now. A group of Moms are chanting, ‘Feds stay clear! Moms are here!’ at the federal courthouse. pic.twitter.com/gexQJJM6ck

— Joshua Potash (@JoshuaPotash) July 19, 2020

According to reports, Bev Barnum, a 35-year-old from Portland, organised an event on Facebook, ‘calling all moms to do what they do best– protect people.’

On Saturday and Sunday, the women stood for hours in front of the city’s federal courthouse, which has become a flashpoint of the conflict between protesters and the officers.

‘We tried in earnest to give the kids a break by shifting the pervasive narrative that protestors are rioters …To be clear, we moms weren’t armed, throwing rocks, throwing water…THAT DIDN’T HAPPEN,’ Barnum told The Independent.

Last night after getting gassed and shot at by the feds, I swore I wasn’t going back to protest again — but when I heard about a gathering called Wall of Moms, I couldn’t stay home. #fedsout #blacklivesmatter #wallofmoms pic.twitter.com/m30aGQAthZ

— Julia Peattie (@repeattie) July 19, 2020

‘We were gassed for chanting ‘Leave The Kids Alone.’ I want you to think about what’s happening in this country and ask yourself how you’re going to help change it,’ she added.

Barnum also connected with Don’t Shoot Portland, a Black-led advocacy group that has been fighting for social change in Portland since 2014, who helped her and other moms for protesting safely.

‘I’m so disappointed in you.’ – Mom #PortlandProtest pic.twitter.com/T7dPdYVxig

— pdx law grrrl (@pdxlawgrrrl) July 20, 2020

For nearly seven weeks, Portland has seen mass demonstrations against racism and police brutality, which were sparked by the death of George Floyd. Floyd, a Black man, died after a white Minneapolis police officer, Derek Chauvin, knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes. Floyd’s death had sparked ‘Black Lives Matter’ protests across the globe.

Last week, US President Donald Trump and his administration deployed federal agents to tackle protests in some cities. However, the deployment of federal agents has escalated tensions.

Also Read: US: Protests Erupt In Pennsylvania After Cop Uses Knee To Restrain Man

#PoweredByYou We bring you news and stories that are worth your attention! Stories that are relevant, reliable, contextual and unbiased. If you read us, watch us, and like what we do, then show us some love! Good journalism is expensive to produce and we have come this far only with your support. Keep encouraging independent media organisations and independent journalists. We always want to remain answerable to you and not to anyone else.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Featured

Amplified by

P&G Shiksha

P&G Shiksha Turns 20 And These Stories Say It All

Amplified by

Isha Foundation

Sadhguru’s Meditation App ‘Miracle of Mind’ Hits 1 Million Downloads in 15 Hours, Surpassing ChatGPT’s Early Growth

Recent Stories

Tamil Nadu Cyber Crime Wing Busts China-Linked Transnational Investment Scam, Saves Victims Across Six Indian States

Chandigarh

First in India: Chandigarh Mandates Weekly Dress Code for Government School Teachers and Principals Starting July 7

Indonesian Ferry Sinks Near Bali: 4 Dead, Dozens Missing as Rescue Operations Continue; President Orders Emergency Response

Contributors

Writer : 
Editor : 
Creatives :