The image of an African-American boy hugging a Portland, Oregon, police officer has gone viral in the wake of protests and violence following the grand jury's decision not to indict Darren Wilson in the shooting death of Michael Brown.

The boy's name is Devonte Hart—he's 12-years-old, like to give hugs, and has two moms.

Born addicted to drugs, Devonte had a childhood no one would envy: By 4, he had smoked cigarettes, handled guns and showed a violent streak. While his peers were starting to develop, writes Chloe Johnson on Paper Trails, Devonte "knew only a handful of words, including fuck and shit, and he struggled to identify with the names of food, body parts and every day objects.

But his life changed seven years ago when Jen and Sarah Hart adopted him and his two siblings. The Harts, who live in the Portland suburb of West Linn, have six children in all, but Devonte brought unique challenges. “That night [we brought him home], after we finally got him to sleep, I cried harder than I had ever cried in my life," says Jen. "I felt like there was no way we could raise this child, and the five others we had adopted.”

Yet, she says, she felt more connected to this fragile little boy, who had faced so much hardship, than anyone else in her life.

With the patience, support and love of his family, Devonte has blossomed into a young man who is passionate about social justice. He and his mom  went to the gathering in downtown Portland on November 25 “with the intention of spreading love and kindness, and to remind people that they matter in this world.”

Devonte stood alone carrying his “Free Hugs” sign in front of a police barricade, where Sgt Bret Barnum saw him overcome with emotion. “Knowing how [Devonte] struggled with police, his bravery and courage to catch my eye and approach me were impressive,” Barnum told the AP. “And it’s a blessing for me that I didn’t miss an opportunity to impact this child.”

While the nation has been inspired by Devonte's act of bravery and love, his moms say he inspires them every day. "People always tell us how lucky he is that we adopted him," says Jen. "I tell you, we are the lucky ones.”

Photo: Johnny Nguyen