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Photo Of Portland Cop Hugging Protester Goes Viral On Social Media

PORTLAND, Ore. (CBS/AP) -- A touching photo of a white police officer hugging an African-American boy at a Portland protest this week has drawn heavy attention on social media.

The moment was captured by photographer Johnny Nguyen covering a protest in Portland, Oregon, over a Missouri grand jury's decision not to indict Ferguson police officer Darren Wilson for the shooting of Michael Brown.

At the Portland rally was 12-year-old Devonte Hart, who stood crying out of sadness over the events in Ferguson. He was holding a "Free Hugs" sign.

Portland Police Sgt. Bret Barnum saw the boy's sign and asked if he could have a hug. The boy gave him one.

Devonte's mom Jen Hart was there Tuesday and remembers the moment as "one of the most emotionally charged experiences I've had as a mother."

To view the full-size image, along with other photographs from Johnny Nguyen's coverage of the Portland protest go to: http://chambersvisuals.com/5fjbf7k3oce97juhi5v91c7qeenu36

MORE FERGUSON PROTEST NEWS:

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