The single mom explained in a spontaneous impassioned speech why she has been protesting night after night against institutionalized racism and police brutality towards the Black community.
After weeks of violent clashes between federal agents and protesters in Portland, Oregon, the Trump administration said on Wednesday that it is planning to withdraw some federal security forces from the state's biggest city. However, according to BBC, US Homeland Security Secretary Chad Wolf stressed that the pullout was conditional on local law enforcement protecting federal buildings, which have been the focal point of the over 60 days long Black Lives Matter protests in the city.
Although the news would've come as somewhat of a relief to Portland citizens, not long after the announcement, Trump made a last-minute attempt to save face by threatening to deploy the National Guard to quell the "agitators" and "anarchists" if the civil unrest continues.
Trump’s priority isn’t protecting us. His priority is putting on a show of force for his re-election campaign. If only Trump had put the same amount of effort into developing a national testing program, maybe we wouldn’t have over 140,000 dead Americans. https://t.co/zObw9FOfpW
— Marginalized Outlier (@MarginalizedO) July 25, 2020
While the President's sole priority seems to be the protection of federal property, one Portland mom recently explained in a spontaneous impassioned speech why she has been protesting night after night against institutionalized racism and police brutality towards the Black community. A now-viral video shows the single mom walking up to the fence surrounding the Justice Center and shouting at the federal agents on the other side about why moms like her have joined BLM protests across the country.
"I'm so tired of this!" she yelled after whipping off her protective goggles, which has become a protest staple due to law enforcement's use of pepper spray, tear gas, and projectiles against demonstrators. "I am so tired! I am sleep deprived because I'm a single mom and I work full time and I have to come and spend my nights with you because I can't stand in my own streets and say 'Black Lives Matter!' Black lives matter. That's why we're here!"
Bravo to this Human Being who is a Mother who understood Mr. George Floyd's Clarion call to his Mother.
— Bahia Wilson (@bahiawilson) July 29, 2020
Her bravery is her CREDIBILITY that she understands that Black Lives Matter! pic.twitter.com/jXS1nEDPeM
As another demonstrator tried to shield her from a possible attack by the federal agents, the woman continued her impassioned tirade against the agents on the other side of the fence. "We're not here because of some f***ing building. We don't care about the building, we don't care about your stupid fence! We care about Black lives. And I'm a mom, and I heard George when he called out 'mama.' That's why I'm here. That's why I'm here. Because George called out for his mama," she said. "You all have moms. Your mom loves you. George's mom loved him. And my kids love me and I want to go home to them, but they agree that this is important."
I borrowed this for someone... it spoke to me, as a mama. And I wanted as many other moms to see it as well..... pic.twitter.com/cjrAJeN0sp
— Jen.🖖🏾 (@iH4rl3yQu1nnXx) July 29, 2020
While Portland's Wall of Moms caught quite some attention since joining the fight, the group's overwhelming whiteness has been a subject of criticism for seemingly turning the attention away from Black lives. A number of moms and protesters—like the unidentified woman in the video—have reassured that their fight against the city's law enforcement and the federal forces is ultimately about supporting the Black Lives Matter movement. "And it's not about some white ladies, it's not about me, it's about Black Lives Matter. There are so many amazing Black women that have been doing this fight for years, and I showed up late, I'm so tardy to this party, but I'm making up for it because I'm so angry," she said.
Thousands of strong mothers heard George Floyd's calls for "Mama" and responded by raising their collective voices. Thank you to this Portland mama, along with so many others out there – You are so strong and an inspiration to us, all! ✊🏼✊🏾✊🏿 pic.twitter.com/9vDk9kTMPN
— Ben Crump (@AttorneyCrump) July 28, 2020
"And Black people are allowed to be angry and who cares if some graffitis on this stupid building, we’re talking about human lives," the mom added. Her impassioned speech touched the hearts of many on the internet with one Twitter user commenting how "it should have never come to a man dying over $20 because his skin is different, and a mother, exhausted who has to fight against the Cops who don't care about what she cares about, the dignity of human life."
The fact that this is 2020 and we are still in a 400+ year-old discussion is terribly sad.
— Chrisdyasluxelife 🌍 (@LuxeTravelGuru) July 28, 2020
Still crying a little. Her passion somehow released a pressure valve for me.
— Miss Anthrope, Reticent Bodhisattva (@therealBAMFHBIC) July 29, 2020
“It’s not about some white lady, it’s not about me, it’s about Black Lives Matter.” Amen, Mama! Proud of you, Portland!
— deepfrygentrify (@deepfrygentrify) July 28, 2020
I literally just cried listen to her talk . It’s amazing how people do not value the lives of their fellow man. Skin color shouldn’t be an issue . Just hear the cry of a Mother . She is a mother who knows the pain other mothers go through when their kids are killed by policemen.
— Dr. Greg (@GulGreg) July 29, 2020
What amazes me since George Floyd murder is that we still do not have any legislation on police reform or social injustice. The Dems r more worried about police markings the Rep are making kneeling into a flag issue again. All I see is them ignoring the issue again like in 1992.
— Juan Carlos Urrea (@papayasamurai29) July 29, 2020