24 Jul 2020

Portland 'moms' aim to protect protestors

From Morning Report, 7:54 am on 24 July 2020

The Mayor of Portland, Oregon has been tear-gassed at a protest where he called for federal forces to leave the US city.

Federal officers were deployed by President Donald Trump earlier this month in response to sustained protests following the death of George Floyd.

Trump says he is trying to restore order but local officials say the federal presence is heightening tension and accuse the President of political posturing in the lead up to the election.

Now, a group of women calling themselves the "Wall of Moms" have joined the protest to protect demonstrators from police force.

The group links arms to form a protective barrier, chanting "Feds stay clear. Moms are here".

Julianne Jackson is a a local activist in Portland and led a "Wall of Moms" march 

She speaks to Susie Ferguson.