A group of former US service members has deployed to Portland to support demonstrators laying siege to the city’s federal courthouse. The new ‘wall’ has emerged after self-described moms and dads formed their own human shields.
The cadre of military veterans assembled in front of the courthouse on Friday night, creating a line between protesters and a protective fence wrapped around the building. Some of the vets stood with their hands placed behind their backs, while others held signs that read “Disabled veterans 4 BLM” and “Federal troops defend property but this does not give them the right to take away my constitutional freedom.”
At least one member of the group came to the protest wearing a military uniform. Others donned Air Force, Navy, and Black Lives Matter shirts.
One of the veterans told the Daily Mail that he came to support protesters after a former Navy serviceman was beaten by federal agents. Around thirty ex-military members participated in the ‘Wall of Vets’, the ex-marine said.
The human ‘wall’ mirrors similar tactics adopted by two other groups, Wall of Moms and PDXDadPod. The ‘moms’ began shielding protesters on July 19, followed by the arrival of the ‘dads’, who reportedly even helped to provide protesters with leaf blowers so that they could redirect tear gas fired by federal agents. The ‘moms’ and ‘dads’ were also in attendance on Friday night.
Also on rt.com WATCH: Antifa and parents set up ‘shield walls’ as protesters lay siege to Portland federal courthouseProtests outside the courthouse and around Portland’s downtown area have been ongoing for nearly two months. Federal law enforcement officers were sent to defend the besieged building earlier this month, leading to accusations that the agents were unlawfully seizing and detaining demonstrators.
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