The motorcycle police were a coat of armor as they escorted buses bringing black students home from South Boston High School. This was the second day of a court-ordered school integration program requiring the busing of 18 percent of public school students in 1974. Some buses were stoned, and several arrests were made.

How does the metaphor "coat of armor" affect the writer's message?

It creates a tone of fear, representing what minority students felt.
It describes the typical uniform worn by officers of the time period.
It highlights the protection black students needed during school integration.
It supports the argument that more money should be spent on police escorts.