In pictures: ‘Wall of Moms’ joins Portland anti-racist protests

Protests against racism have been going on in Portland, Oregon for almost two months, but in recent days it has joined an increasing number of “mothers.”

The “Wall of Moms,” as they have been called, has been acting as a human shield between protesters and federal officials dispatched to disperse them.

They came dressed in yellow, some with sunflowers and singing: “The feds are staying away. The moms are here.”

Some sang a lullaby: “Hands up, please don’t shoot me.”

Portland mother Bev Barnum called for a “mothers wall” on Saturday in a Facebook post.

She told CNN that she moved to act after seeing media reports from federal officials “that show obvious human rights violations.”

Tensions have risen in Portland since President Trump sent federal agents to the city to quell nightly protests of the George Floyd police murder in May.

President Trump says he is trying to restore order, but local authorities accuse him of using it to increase his chances for reelection in November.

Witnesses reported seeing federal officials in unmarked vehicles kidnapping protesters from the streets and detaining them. Tear gases have also been used.

United States Secretary of Homeland Security Chad Wolf insisted this week that all officers wore badges that showed they were police.

With some 2,000 mothers now interested in joining the movement, the protests do not appear to end soon.

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