Pat Taub
By PAT TAUB and JANET WEIL*
Bev Barnum, a 35-year-old Mexican-American mother of two from Portland, Oregon had never been in a single protest, but her outrage over the aggressive actions of the federal troops against Black Lives Matter protesters propelled her into action. She felt other mothers must be sharing her outrage, but before trying to organize a coalition of mothers, Bev contacted the Black group, “Don’t Shoot,” asking if they would welcome her coalition of white mothers. She received a resounding, “Yes.”
Bev Barnum, founder of Portland’s Wall of Moms Facebook photo
In short order the Wall of Moms, wearing yellow, holding flowers and linking arms to form a wall to protect the young protesters, became a fixture at Portland’s protests. The moms have been tear gassed and roughed up, which has only emboldened them.
Janet Weil, a Portland resident and frequent WOW guest writer, interviewed fellow Portlander Diana Meisenhelter** about her participation in the Wall of Moms.
Diana Meisenhelter in her Portland backyard, Janet Weil photo
“I had some dilemma about going downtown. I was furious about the Feds being in Portland. But I didn’t want to see us playing into ‘Trumpian hands’ – things escalate and that gives validity to his ‘restoring law & order’ propaganda.” She also “didn’t want to play into any White Savior plans.”
“As we turned the corner [in the march toward the courthouse], there was just a huge roar [of support]. Two or three African-American men spoke [on mic] about their moms, how racism had affected their moms’ lives, and how grateful they were that we were there.”
“People were NOT just egging things into escalation. During the 3 hours before the Feds did something stupid, it was very much on message around Black Lives Matter, we don’t want a fascist state, the lives that have been taken from us – Black and Brown people. It wasn’t people getting into ‘let’s play war.’”
“The Feds had put up this gigantic metal fence around the pillar and an open door [to the courthouse]. You could see them in the shadows, putting on their gas masks, because people shone lights. We were in the front lines, right up against it. For them to do anything, they would have to go over the fence. Every 20 minutes, there would be a flash grenade. They sort of sizzle, making a huge loud sound.
Wall of Moms guarding the fence to Portland’s court house, photo, wionews.com
“Every time, the crowd would chant: ‘Stay calm! We do this every night.’ Then, the most bizarre thing I have ever seen happened, right at midnight: they ran out of the building, shooting at the crowd, and you could see the light coming out of the muzzles. It was the craziest thing I’ve ever seen! I think they were blanks and used just for intimidation. Whatever it was, was ricocheting. They went back into the building!”
“People said, ‘Go!’ We moved back from the fence, but not that far. I went to the end [of the Wall of Moms], to see if they were rubber bullets. There weren’t any great big things like that. Everybody just looked at each other, and we just started laughing. You couldn’t have done a weirder parody of ineptitude. It wasn’t effective. They were shooting inside of a cage!”
“They got really mean, right after that, and tear gassed a bunch of folks, including the Moms.”
Militarized federal forces tear gassing Portland protesters. The Wall of Moms are suing Homeland Security for this unlawful action.
“The crowd was so caring. I had brought a mask and goggles, but no earplugs. Within minutes, someone handed out earplugs to everybody who didn’t have them.”
“I really believe if we don’t get them out of here quickly, somebody’s going to get killed. They’re supposed to be doing this big macho thing, and it’s not working out well for them. Once the violence starts, there’s just chaos. I worry that this is a prototype that [Trump] thinks he can use to postpone or cancel the election.”
Photo, capitalbay.com
In a recent development the Wall of Moms, which is mostly white, reached out to the Black community, offering to relinquish a leadership role, limiting their role to one of collaboration, so that Black women can be the rightful leaders.
With the Wall of Moms, women are not only standing up, but also modeling a movement for Black rights where whites step aside, assuming a supportive role that takes its direction from the Black community. Mother love at its finest!
*Janet Weil is a retired ESL teacher and newly fired-up climate/eco activist, living in Portland, Oregon with her husband. She enjoys spending time with her extended family, and in the great bookstores and libraries in the metro area. She shares political views and her photography on Twitter: @JanetRWeil.
**Diana Meisenhelter is a longtime community activist and a mother of an adult daughter. She currently works on the climate crisis, with Extinction Rebellion in Portland, Oregon.
