#WallAgainstTrump trends as Portland moms form human chains to shield Black Lives Matter protesters
George Floyd's death sparked massive unrest across the country and the movement is only gaining momentum with more protests against racial bias and police brutality. In Oregon, Portland, protesters gathered in large numbers over the last week despite the intervention of federal authorities that were said to be deployed by President Donald Trump. On Monday, July 20, the federal court witnessed a human shield formed by Portland Moms to protect fellow protestors.
A huge gathering of women clad in yellow marched arm-in-arm and asked the feds to "stay away". Soon, they came to be known as "Wall of Moms" on social media. Soon after, a "Wall of Vets" was formed to join the BLM movement chanting slogans of "feds go home" and "Black Lives Matter". Soon after, a wall of nurses, mothers, grandmas, dads and veterans stood on the frontlines in a video, refusing to take a step back or allow Trump's forces to disrupt their protests. As people of America came together to 'fight' against the injustice, the group cried out in chorus: "This is what democracy looks like!"
No sooner did the videos and pictures go up on social media, the hashtag #WallAgainstTrump started trending. It began with a video that called back to the 2016 elections where Trump claimed that the United States of America was "going to build a wall" and have Mexico pay for it. The 56-second clip highlights the irony and begins with one of Trump's election campaign speeches from 2016 where he says, "We are going to build a wall, it's going to be built." Later, it goes on to show how Americans are now hellbent on building a wall "against Trump."
One of the moms, in the video, says, "Moms along with everyone else, have realized it's time that we need to put our bodies on the line because the stakes are so high, we are brothers, grandparents, aunts, we are a community that is going to stand united." The video ends with slogans saying, "Moms are here, Feds stay clear." The movement sparked much chatter on Twitter.
One tweet read: "Armed militias protesting against wearing a mask thought they were protesting a tyrannical government. Now they’re radio silent, and the Portland moms are actually on the frontlines protesting the tyrannical government. Want to protest tyranny? Build a #WallAgainstTrump." Another said, "The crowd parts and cheers as the toughest people in Portland march into position. This isn't a moment, it's a movement. #WallAgainstTrump."
Praising their dedication, one Twitter user said, "I am awestruck by the dedication to go out night after night after night. They must be exhausted. But they show up every damn night," and another posted, "That is the definition of power. Feel these humans." One tweet even said, "It's ironic that the biggest thing Trump has to fear going into this election is a wall — a #WallAgainstTrump."
Another said, "OMG! The #WallAgainstTrump touches my heart and swells me with pride and appreciation for the Wall of Moms, Wall of Grandmas, Wall of Dads, Wall of Nurses that joined together in Portland to protest! These people are the real America. They're the America we believe in & support!"
"Trump tried to build a wall to divide us. He failed. Instead, we built a #WallAgainstTrump of —Mothers —Fathers —Aunts —Uncles —Grandparents —Young Adults —Veterans —Patriots —Resisters —Academics —BLM Protesters —Anti-racists —Civil Rights activists" and "America needs to build a wall. A #WallAgainstTrump," one tweet read and another said, "We all need to stand up against Trump and his fascist fantasies. NOW!"