As protests spread following a grand jury's refusal to indict a white police officer after the fatal shooting of an unarmed black teenager in Ferguson, Missouri, a photo of a white policemen hugging a 12-year-old boy at a Portland, Ore., protest has spread through social media.
As 12-year-old Devonte Hart stood in front of a police barrier with a sign reading "Free hugs," Portland police Sgt. Bret Barnum motioned him over and the two embraced in a hug captured by a photographer standing nearby.
The boy's adoptive mother, who is white, said in a Facebook post that Devonte was struggling to come to terms with the issues of racism and police brutality in the aftermath of the shooting in Ferguson of 18-year-old Michael Brown by officer Darren Wilson.
At the Portland protest, Barnum approached Devonte and put out his hand, Jennifer Hart wrote in her post.
"He asked Devonte why he was crying. His response about his concerns regarding the level of police brutality towards young black kids was met with an unexpected and seemingly authentic (to Devonte), 'Yes. *sigh* I know. I'm sorry. I'm sorry.' The officer then asked if he could have one of his hugs," Hart wrote.
Devonte is one of six children adopted by Jennifer Hart and her wife Sarah Hart who live in the Portland suburb of West Linn.
Following the Ferguson grand jury's decision not to indict, the Harts traveled into downtown Portland "with the intention of spreading love and kindness," Jennifer Hart said, by carrying signs such as the "Free Hugs" one Devonte was holding.
While there they joined a nearby Ferguson rally, she said.
Brown, an officer in the police department's traffic division, was there helping with crowd and traffic control.
He noticed the boy's distress and motioned him to approach, he said.
While talking to Devonte he noticed the "Free Hugs" sign and asked if he could get one, he said.
"Knowing how he struggled with police, his bravery and courage to catch my eye and approach me were impressive," Barnum said. "And it's a blessing for me that I didn't miss an opportunity to impact this child."
Posted to Facebook, the photo of Devonte and Barnum garnered hundreds of thousands of "likes" and comments.
"I really believe in my heart that this is what most people want. to find the common good in all people and find things we can agree on, not fight about. I love this picture and wish that little boy the best life has to offer. there is pain on his face and I know we all would like to change that," one commenter posted.
