I was honored to be asked to photograph this incredible movement, lead by children of Seattle, inspired by the 1963 Birmingham Children’s Crusade. Within a week, this was imagined, organized and staffed by hundreds of volunteers. The speakers were inspiring and passionate. The march from Garfield High School to Bailey Gatzert Elementary School was peaceful and attended by approximately 5000 people.
With the Solid Ground housing in the background, thousands gathered at Magnuson Park for Rally for Black Lives to peacefully protest and march to the University Village. The former home of Charleena Lyles at Magnuson Park where she was shot five times by officers in front of her children while 14-15 weeks pregnant, served as a reminder to those that protested in 2017. Charges against the two officers involved were dismissed.
The protests in response to George Floyd’s murder (captured on video), began on March 26, 2020 and have stretched two weeks. During this peaceful protest in Northwest Seattle, many in the crowd were following the violent protest and police response Capitol Hill near the East Precinct.
Once the group arrived to University Village, they sang “Happy Birthday” to Breonna Taylor and kneeled on one knee for eight minutes and forty six seconds, the same amount of time in which the officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota used the knee-on-neck tactic on George Floyd, only to render him unconscious or dead on the scene. In the last few seconds of the silent protest, the leaders were told that the National Guard had surrounded the entire property of University Village and that all participants were to exit the property immediately.
Zero National Guard nor police were seen upon my exit from the property.
I attended the Black Lives Matter Protest on Capitol Hill in Seattle, Washington near Cal Anderson Park on June 2, 2020. This protest was the 4th day of protesting in Seattle, despite a strict, city-wide curfew of 5pm. The protests are a reaction to the death of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, and Breonna Taylor, in addition to hundreds of years of systematic racism and police brutality in the United States. These protestHere are some images I captured.
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Several medic stations were set up throughout Capitol Hill to treat emergency medical situations including tear gas, rubber bullets, and flash bangs. In addition to supplies such as water, milk, and food, these people have volunteered their time for several days in a row to provide a restroom and any other needs protesters might have during the long days of speaking their minds.
Medic stations are set up all over Capitol Hill and this one is fully stocked with supplies to help protesters with any injuries or medical needs, including providing a restroom. They say to always look for the helpers and there were many on Tuesday, June 2nd, 2020.
Bok Bok Fried Chicken feeds protesters with free fried chicken sandwiches and bubbly water for several days in a row.
I had to go to downtown yesterday to pick something up and decided to take a bit of time to walk around the empty streets of Seattle. The sights I saw were semi-expected but also so sad. The homeless seem to be particularly struggling and I don’t know what the answers are for them. I just know that other countries and cities have figured out how to solve the problem with shelter insecurity. I’m hopeful one day, Seattle will as well.
One encouraging piece is that many artists have been busy painting beautiful murals on the plywood that many businesses are using to protect their windows. Most businesses seem to have been closed for the last 50+ days with at least four more weeks to go, according to our Governor Inslee. I know most people aren't even leaving their neighborhood so hopefully this allows you to witness what the streets near Pioneer Square, Belltown and Pike Place Market look like during this Covid-19 shutdown, without leaving your couch.
I have always been intrigued by birth photography but it wasn’t until I finally gathered all of my bravery and offered up a deal to my Facebook and Instagram followers so that I could build my portfolio. Thankfully, I had a number of applicants and was able to choose births that I would be able to attend due to my schedule and location as well as likelihood of a birth I’d actually be able to witness (some hospitals don’t allow photographers during a cesarean section surgery). I was so grateful that an old friend (that I adored then and haven’t seen for 20+ years) from my club soccer team (and carpool!) in high school contacted me about photographing his partner’s birth earlier this year. I was thrilled to reconnect with my old friend, who now identifies as male, and meet his love, “G”. G radiates good vibes and I knew right away that this would be a great fit for my first birth to document.
A few days before the due date, “O” messaged me that labor had begun. I could have waited but I was so excited that I packed up all of my things, grabbed some snacks and drove to their house in South Seattle. I was able to witness G’s strength and O’s incredible support during a very difficult labor that ended up lasting about 48 hours. Of course, I didn’t stay the entire time and took lots of breaks thanks to a very solid communication plan. It was an invigorating experience for me, not only because I am fascinated by all things birth and mama but also because we were in three different locations with many different lighting scenarios and I was able to experiment with my camera. I loved capturing the support (birth partner, pets, doulas, midwifes, nurses, and OBGYN doctor) and strength I witnessed, along with the gorgeous entrance into the world by a beautiful baby girl.
