'Wall Of Moms' Stands Between Portland Protesters And Federal Police

As protesters in Portland, Oregon continued to demonstrate against police brutality and racism, a group of about 30 women formed a "Wall of Moms" to protect the protesters from federal officers sent to guard federal buildings and monuments in the city.

Video from the protests, which have been going on for more than 50 days, shows the group of women linking arms and chanting, "Moms are here, feds stay clear."

The "Wall of Moms" was organized by Bev Barnum, who told BuzzFeed News she decided to take action after seeing a video of heavily armed officers taking people away in unmarked vehicles.

"We are about protecting peaceful citizens' right to protest," Barnum said.

The women refused to leave, even when the federal officers ordered the crowd to disperse. Another video showed some of the women standing strong as tear gas filled the streets.

Portland Police said they were not present during the demonstrations, but defended the actions of the federal officers.

"Dozens of people with shields, helmets, gas masks, umbrellas, bats, and hockey sticks approached the doors of the courthouse," the department said.

The presence of federal law enforcement has upset local officials, who are demanding that they leave the city.

"This is not the America we want. This is not the Portland we want," Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler said last week. "We're demanding that the President remove these additional troops that he sent to our city. It is not helping to contain or de-escalate the situation. It's obviously having exactly the opposite impact."

Photo: Twitter/hungrybowtie