Several years ago, I received an email from a woman who said she was in a...READ ON
Several years ago, I received an email from a woman who said she was in a front-page Washington Post photograph I had made way back in October 1979. It was the first-ever National Gay Rights march. I had no memory of covering it, so I looked through the newspaper archives. Sure enough, there it was. Sadly, neither I nor the WP had that photograph any longer: It was among a room full of binders, each full of negatives, lost by workers who accidentally and carelessly cleared them out. They represented years of history. Images like this became more important to history and this woman over time. I could only offer her a poorly reproduced Xerox from the archives. But I have other images from more recent years. Here are some of my favorites:
Occupy D.C. protestors resist U.S. Park Police clearing out areas of...READ ON
Occupy D.C. protestors resist U.S. Park Police clearing out areas of McPherson Square which the protestors have been occupying and living for the last three months. Washington, DC., February 4, 2012.
The Million Man March: “That probably was one of the largest...READ ON
The Million Man March: “That probably was one of the largest demonstrations of Black men that had ever been done in terms of the United States,” Martin Luther King, III told CNN. “So when you think about the fact that Black men were brought together with a focus on bringing families together, assuming appropriate responsibilities, that was extremely significant." National Mall, Washington, DC., October 17, 1995
The National Mall is jammed with possibly a million Black men and others for...READ ON
The National Mall is jammed with possibly a million Black men and others for Louis Farrakhan's call for a march on Washington. Washington, DC, October 17, 1995
As President Bush makes a push to go to war with Iraq, demonstrators end a...READ ON
As President Bush makes a push to go to war with Iraq, demonstrators end a weekend of protests with a peaceful march through DC. Washington, DC, September 9, 2002
DC Police briefly detained protestors at 18th and M streets as they protested...READ ON
DC Police briefly detained protestors at 18th and M streets as they protested meetings at the World Bank and IMF. Police released the marchers but escorted them as they walked through the city. Washington, DC, September 29, 2001
A demonstrator who would only identify himself as "Uncle Scam" revs...READ ON
A demonstrator who would only identify himself as "Uncle Scam" revs up some of the thousands of protestors on the Mall to demonstrate against the seemingly inevitable warming to Iraq. Washington, DC. January 18, 2003
World Bank protestors are backed into a corner and trapped by riot police who...READ ON
World Bank protestors are backed into a corner and trapped by riot police who surrounded them in Pershing Park and arrested them. Here, one protestor talks on his cell phone, and another holds up a sign asking for help as they await to be handcuffed and arrested. Later protesters sued over what was later to be determined illegal “trap and detain” tactics in which officers surrounded and arrested large groups of people close to demonstrations.to be arrested. The various lawsuits won over $13.25 million. Washington, DC, September 28, 2002
Tens of thousands of Antiwar demonstrators jam the National Mall to protest...READ ON
Tens of thousands of Antiwar demonstrators jam the National Mall to protest the threat of war in Iraq. Washington, DC. January 18, 2003
Student protestors lock arm in arm after police prevented them from entering...READ ON
Student protestors lock arm in arm after police prevented them from entering Lafayette Park . The protestors were eventually able to get closer, but some were arrested after they attempted to enter the park again. Washington, DC, January 19, 2003
A student protestor is tossed around and arrested after he and others try to...READ ON
A student protestor is tossed around and arrested after he and others try to rush through a police line at Lafayette Park across the street from the White House during a protest against the future war in Iraq. Washington, DC, January 19, 2003
Paul Brailsford (87) (left) and Ed Hart (81), both WWII veterans, join the...READ ON
Paul Brailsford (87) (left) and Ed Hart (81), both WWII veterans, join the thousands of antiwar demonstrators on the Mall who are protesting the upcoming war in Iraq. Washington, DC. January 18, 2003
Protesters are tear-gassed while trying to get into the inaugural parade...READ ON
Protesters are tear-gassed while trying to get into the inaugural parade route during President George W. Bush's second inauguration. Washington, DC January 20, 2004
Protestors keep vigil outside of the "Tent of Dreams" at McPherson...READ ON
Protestors keep vigil outside of the "Tent of Dreams" at McPherson Park. Occupy DC protestors covered the statue of General James B. McPherson on the square they are occupying after the National Park Police declared that they would start to enforce long-standing regulations prohibiting camping on federal parkland. The Park Police had given the protestors latitude in the past but were responding to pressure by congressional Republicans to enforce the ban. Under the rules, the Occupiers can stand vigil in the park 24 hours a day and can keep their tents, but they can’t sleep there. No bedding inside the tents is permitted, and they must be kept open for inspection. After Occupy D.C. put up the blue tarp, dubbed "Tent of Dreams," on Monday, many protesters held vigil throughout the night expecting a raid by the Park Police, which hasn't materialized. Washington, DC, January 30, 2012
Angry Occupy D.C. protestors confront U.S. Park Police, who are preparing to...READ ON
Angry Occupy D.C. protestors confront U.S. Park Police, who are preparing to cordon off a wooden structure the demonstrators erected overnight. Summary: OccupyD.C.’s overnight construction of a large wooden structure in McPherson Square ended two months of relatively peaceful coexistence with the U.S. Park Police, who said that the building appeared to be a permanent structure and was, therefore, illegal. Occupy D.C. said they were building it to protect themselves from increasingly cold weather. Protesters defied repeated orders to abandon the building and take it down — setting the stage for a day-long standoff — which ended in 31 arrests and the destruction of the building by the Park Police. Washington, DC, December 4, 2011
DC protestors succeeded in putting a tarp over the Statue of General James B....READ ON
DC protestors succeeded in putting a tarp over the Statue of General James B. Mcpherson, which they dubbed the "Tent of Dreams." Occupy DC protestors covered the statue after the National Park Police declared they would start enforcing long-standing regulations prohibiting camping on federal parkland. Many protesters held vigil throughout the night expecting a raid by the Park Police, which so far hasn't materialized. Washington, DC, January 30, 2012
Caption: U.S. Park Police arrest protestors who broke through the police line...READ ON
Caption: U.S. Park Police arrest protestors who broke through the police line in an effort to join fellow Occupy D.C. protestors barricaded in a wooden structure they erected in McPherson Square. Occupy D.C. said they were building it to protect themselves from increasingly cold weather. Protesters defied repeated orders to abandon the building and take it down — setting the stage for a day-long standoff — which ended in 31 arrests and the destruction of the building by the Park Police. Washington, DC, December 4, 2011
After being evicted from McPherson Square, DC Occupiers were pushed out into...READ ON
After being evicted from McPherson Square, DC Occupiers were pushed out into the street where they stood in a cold drizzle. Here an angry protestor flashes the finger at a U.S. Park Police officer barricading the park. Washington, DC, February 4, 2012.
Protestors in front of the White House react to a military flyover President...READ ON
Protestors in front of the White House react to a military flyover President Trump ordered as part of July 4 celebrations. Washington, DC. July 4, 2020
Chanting four more years, some ten thousand Trump supporters took to...READ ON
Chanting four more years, some ten thousand Trump supporters took to Washington, DC streets to claim Trump won the election. Here, they confront a small group of counter-demonstrators. Far-right groups like the Proud Boys and speakers like Alex Jones energized the crowd. Washington, DC, November 14, 2020
Trump supporters filled the area in front of the Lincoln Memorial to see a...READ ON
Trump supporters filled the area in front of the Lincoln Memorial to see a special 4th of July program provided by the Trump administration. Washington, DC. July 4, 2020
Chanting four more years, some ten thousand Trump supporters took to...READ ON
Chanting four more years, some ten thousand Trump supporters took to Washington, DC streets to claim Trump won the election. Here, they confront a small group of counter-demonstrators. Far-right groups like the Proud Boys and speakers like Alex Jones energized the crowd. Washington, DC, November 14, 2020
More than 10,000 people poured into the nation’s capital on the ninth...READ ON
More than 10,000 people poured into the nation’s capital on the ninth day of protests over police brutality throughout the country in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of policemen. Washington, DC, June 6, 2020
More than 10,000 people poured into the nation’s capital on the ninth...READ ON
More than 10,000 people poured into the nation’s capital on the ninth day of protests over police brutality throughout the country in the wake of George Floyd's death at the hands of policemen. Washington, DC, June 6, 2020
Crowds swelled at the White House after Biden was declared the winner of the...READ ON
Crowds swelled at the White House after Biden was declared the winner of the Presidential elections. Washington, DC, November 7, 2020
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary...READ ON
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary earlier in the day at the White House. Washington, DC-January 6, 2021
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary...READ ON
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary earlier in the day at the White House. Washington, DC-January 6, 2021
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary...READ ON
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary earlier in the day at the White House. Washington, DC-January 6, 2021
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary...READ ON
Trump supporters storm the U.S. Capitol after listening to his incendiary earlier in the day at the White House. Washington, DC-January 6, 2021
Days before Biden's inauguration, cleanup is still underway after it was...READ ON
Days before Biden's inauguration, cleanup is still underway after it was overrun by Trump supporters, who had hoped to stop the election process. Wahington, DC, January 15, 2021
"There's No American History Without Black History.” Sixty...READ ON
"There's No American History Without Black History.” Sixty years later, thousands gathered at the Lincoln Memorial to reflect on and celebrate Martin Luther King Jr.’s March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. Washington, DC, August 26, 2023
Like most photojournalists based in Washington, DC, I've covered more demonstrations and protests than I can remember, as evidenced by the first photo story. I can't tell you how many times I've stood or marched for hours in the hot sun or rain, been tear-gassed, clubbed, and jostled by all sides. Here are some of my favorite images: