[Vision2020] You’ve Just GOTTA Love Portland (the one in Oregon)

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of USA Today at:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/07/20/portland-protests-wall-moms-formed-protect-demonstrators/5470348002/

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'Wall of moms' at Portland protest formed to protect demonstrators

A group of protesters in Portland, Oregon, formed a "wall of moms" during demonstrations over the weekend as the city saw tensions rise after weeks of unrest that led to the presence of federal authorities.

The women formed a human shield dubbed the "wall of moms" at the front of a protest outside a federal courthouse Sunday. Videos on social media showed the group chanting, "Moms are here, feds stay clear" and "Leave our kids alone."

Portland has seen nightly unrest since the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on Memorial Day. The death of Floyd, a Black man killed when a white police officer pressed his knee into Floyd's neck, brought on massive protest around the country and a movement calling for racial justice and changes to policing.

In Portland, federal agents from the U.S. Marshals Special Operations Group and an elite U.S. Customs and Border Protection team based on the U.S.-Mexican border were deployed to aid law enforcement and protect federal property.

Videos shared on social media showed federal agents detaining people without explanation and driving off in unmarked vehicles. Oregon Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum filed a lawsuit accusing the agents of violating the civil rights of residents by using unlawful tactics.

Bev Barnum, 35, told BuzzFeed News she organized the protest dubbed the "wall of moms" after seeing the videos of the federal authorities' actions. 
 
“We are about protecting peaceful citizens’ right to protest,” Barnum said. “We wanted to look like we were going to Target, like normal people.” 

Video showed dozens of women standing in front of the crowd Saturday night.

Mayor Ted Wheeler criticized the presence of the federal officers, saying on CNN they are "not wanted here. We haven’t asked them here. In fact, we want them to leave.”

President Donald Trump defended the use of the agents and decried the protests. 

“We are trying to help Portland, not hurt it,” Trump tweeted Sunday. “Their leadership has, for months, lost control of the anarchists and agitators. They are missing in action. We must protect Federal property, AND OUR PEOPLE. These were not merely protesters, these are the real deal!”

Acting Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf blasted the protesters as “lawless anarchists” during a visit to the city Thursday.

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Photo . . .

http://www.tomandrodna.com/Photos/Portland_Wall_of_Moms_071820.jpg

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Seeya 'round town, Moscow, because . . .

"Moscow Cares" (the most fun you can have with your pants on)
http://www.TomandRodna.com/MoscowCares
  
Tom Hansen
Moscow, Idaho
“A stranger is just a friend you haven't met.” - Roy E. Stolworthy

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