Ferguson Riots: Parents Speak Out After Photo Of Portland Officer Hugging Tearful Boy Goes Viral, 'He Was Inconsolable' [VIDEO]
Readers might not recognize Devonte Hart's name, but his face is just one of two in a video and touching picture that has surfaced and quickly gone viral on the Internet.
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The 12-year-old Hart's face was full of tears in a photo in which he and a police officer embraced one another during a Ferguson rally in Portland, Ore.
The picture comes just as protests have broken out around the nation after Ferguson former police officer Darren Wilson was not indicted for shooting and killing unarmed teenager Michael Brown.
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Hart was adopted by Sarah and Jennifer Hart, who shared the story behind the picture on their Facebook page.
According to Oregon Live, they wrote, "We hit the streets (Nov. 25) with the intention of spreading love and kindness, and to remind (ALL) people that they matter in this world. ... I noticed Devonte was struggling. Tears. He wouldn't speak. He was inconsolable. My son has a heart of a gold, compassion beyond anything I've ever experienced, yet struggles with living fearlessly when it comes to the police and people that don't understand the complexity of racism that is prevalent in our society. ..."
They went on to write that Devonte could not stop trembling as he held a sign just in front of the police barricade that offered free hugs. He caught the attention of a particular officer, Sgt. Bret Barnum, who approached him and extended his hand. After asking simple questions like how he was doing in school and his favorite thing to do in summer, the conversation had a major turning point when 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," the Harts wrote.
Photographer Johnny Nguyen captured the photo. See it here.
