In this Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2014 photo provided by Johnny Nguyen, Portland police Sgt. Bret Barnum, left, and Devonte Hart, 12, hug at a rally in Portland, Ore., where people had gathered in support of the protests in Ferguson, Mo. (AP Photo/Johnny Huu Nguyen) (The Associated Press)
PORTLAND, Ore. – A touching photo of a white police officer hugging an African-American boy at a Portland protest this week has drawn heavy attention on social media.
The moment was captured by a photographer covering a protest in Portland, Oregon, over a Missouri grand jury's decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael Brown.
At the Portland rally was 12-year-old Devonte Hart, who stood crying out of sadness over the events in Ferguson. He was holding a "Free Hugs" sign.
Portland Police Sgt. Bret Barnum saw the boy's sign and asked if he could have a hug. The boy gave him one.
Devonte's mom Jen Hart was there Tuesday and remembers the moment as "one of the most emotionally charged experiences I've had as a mother."
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