A Portland police officer, Sergeant Bret Barnum, was wearing protective head gear and patrolling a protest in Portland, Oregon when he noticed a 12-year-old boy, Devonte Hart, holding a “Free Hugs” sign.

The 21-year police vet motioned over Devonte and the pair chatted about the demonstration, school, art and life, the Oregonian reported. When their chat was over, Barnum reportedly pointed to Hart’s sign and asked, “Do I get one of those?”

Here’s the kid’s answer:

A simple hug between two people, who are just trying to get along, gives us all a little more hope.