Unseen, Unheard Protests, a photo from California, West

Photographer's Note

I've long been politically active. Before the appointment of George Bush, I used to feel that public officials listened to the public. The last public meeting I attended, the elected officials made no pretense of listening. After, two hours of public input, the voted in direct opposition to 99% of the input recieved. After all, if you own the voting machines, why listen? See Voting Machine Fraud

I know that many of you prefer to remain apolitical so this collage will be my last post of this demonstration. It portrays three elements present. In the first section, two motorcycle police watch the demonstration from across the street. Around the corner, at least 15 more waited for the time when the demonstration was to walk through the Gas Lamp District. These fellows kept an aloof distance. Walking around the square in front of Horton Plaza, about 15 more watched. Some chatted with each other, some collected signs, some stood silently bored; all were approachable.

The middle photo is a fellow who pushed his way through the demonstrators repeatedly shouting at the top of his lungs, 㛝ou𠆫e Morons!!� Down the street two lonely abortion protestors had set up camp. This was a big change from the first time I protested Bush. In 2000, at a demonstration that urged that the votes be counted, the anti-abortion element outnumbered to 鏠ount-the-Vote� Group. Waving signs on sticks, they shouted loudly, 𠐓ush Won!!� and tried to edge us off the sidewalk. The two police present watched silently. With the bombing of abortion clinics and murder of doctors, this major support group for George Bush is one of our homegrown terrorist organizations. This illustrious group includes: the Klu Klux Klan, Union Busting tactics, in the early 1900s, the attacks on Germans and Japanese in the 1940𠏋, Senator McCarthy𠏋 persecution of Communists in the 1950𠏋 and attacks on Sikh and people appearing to be Middle-Eastern after 2001.

The third photo includes a fellow representing the torture tactics identified and some of the signs, 㜁=Worst President ever,� 孏here is no flag big enough to cover the shame of killing innocents,� and 㜁elcome to 1984.� Several signs depicted Bush as a devil. The official sign read, 孏he World Can㦙 Wait; Drive out the Bush Regime.�

People commented that America is beginning to protest. We have been protesting all along. Just in mdchachi's 'Public Demonstrations' theme, the following are documented: New York , 2003, Hail to the Moron�
San Francisco, 2003, including one by Adam Silverman. There are also photos from Birmingham Alabama, 2004. San Francisco, 2004, Los Angeles, 2004;
Olympia, Washington, 2004, San Diego, 2006, and
Santa Barbara,
every Sunday since 2003.

xuaxo, nwoehnl, peter1892, TeresaT, josepmarin, AnimeshRay, RPoole5552, john_c, lestans, Vincelavisse, faganrodney has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

royh (581) 2006-10-10 13:22

Hi,
I don't think it's necessary to put all 3 of the photos together... why not one at a time? As far as the images themselves go I like the middle one the most. Nice documentary overall. TFS,

Roy

xuaxo (6854) 2006-10-10 15:57

Boa noite Pat!
You made the picture in a kind of journalistic film, but I don't like very much the result. Perhaps it could be better with the classical "frame": all black with holes.
By your note, it seems there where a lot of police (we may ask, why?).
I didn't know about the word "Moron". Do they refer to Bush?
About the three photos I prefer the middle one. That at left is too small to see what's going on. That at right it's too confusing.
In all, a good job, but not outstanding, not as good as usual. The name Patricia Lim (plimrn) at TE means usually better shots.
Regards,
Francisco

nwoehnl (122) 2006-10-10 16:05

Hi Pat. This is a very interesting collage and I salute you for posting it, as often such uploads are not particularly well received - interestingly the most adverse reactions tend to come from your own fellow countrymen and -women (� la "whoever doesn't like it in this country is free to leave it" - duh!). I think in terms of photojournalistic approach the middle photo might have made a compelling individual posting in its own right, with the shouting guy in close focus and some of the bystanders at the left. Good notes, too.

TeresaT (10806) 2006-10-10 17:21

Hello Patricia,
A very good collage with a nice presentation.
The sequence of facts work very well as a photo reportage.
For me the best is the one ot the middle.
Regards
Teresa

darrasin (2860) 2006-10-10 18:15

Hello Pat! I think it's very good to show these photos here and I think they would even work in the "daily life" category as American disgust for the war grows.

I salute you and the others who have been protesting this illegal war since the beginning, you are the true American patriots.

Since many of the TE community are international, I think it's important for them to see that the "anti-war" position is slowly, but surely gaining more and more momentum in America.

Regards,
Doug

gunbud (34066) 2006-10-10 19:22

Hi Pat,
My sentiments exactly. I also like the newsreel effect.
Regards, Tom

AnimeshRay (9089) 2006-10-10 20:32

Nice collage, and very good notes. Hope to see you some day in SD...

RPoole5552 (1822) 2006-10-10 21:44

Nice TE post Pat. I won't reveal my personal political feelings; but I will say I'm glad and proud to live in this great country where we are free to express our viewpoint. God Bless America!

Best Regards,

Rob

dsidwell (9783) 2006-10-11 0:17

Hi Pat, this significant event is well captured here in this tryptich. I like the variety of the images together, and they form an effective journalistic communication. Nice work.

pablominto (53746) 2006-10-11 2:44

Hello Pat,
Nice collage my friend!
I like the way you assemble the different expressions...
Greetings,
Pablo -

feather (51130) 2006-10-11 5:59

Here is case where the quality of the photos is immaterial. That's not the point, but you are using this as a vehicle to show us something important. It's a function of TE that not everyone appreciates. Well done. This is obviously something close to your heart so go for it!
Kath

john_c (24666) 2006-10-11 11:01

Hi Patricia,
A great collage of shots, which really speak volumes and address the issues raised in your fine note. You have presented these in a tasteful way consistent with the mission of TE. I like the three different perspectives, each telling a story. Well done, Pat.
John

annagrace (2469) 2006-10-11 21:16

Interesting set of images. I agree with Rob, we're blessed to live in such a great country where protests like this are allowed. Nice journalistic value here.

Alli

lestans (17258) 2006-10-16 8:29

Ciao Pat!!
yes we are blessed to live in a democracy... but how much someone is doing against democracy! For example I saw a movie about Guantanamo jail: that is a shame for a democratic country! And not only it. Terrible fights against women rights! Terrible so many dead people in Iraq, where our friend Bush should take democracy but took only civil war.

In Italy there were millions of people who gathered against Berlusconi government, the owner of TV and newspapers. Now we changed, and I hope that you will change too as soon as possible.

Livia

coco (30439) 2006-10-17 8:29

Hola Patricia.
The collage and the pictures inside are not only good, are a good idea. I mean that this little "serie" of photos works much better than the photos one by one.

Regards.

Polonaise (5802) 2006-10-17 21:17

You? Patricia Lim?
Politically active?
Who'd have guess? LOL LOL LOL
But of course you are. It's not the first time you express your opinion on certain agendas, and that's why you deserve my respect.
Above all - your posts and your comments prove beyond any doubt, that America is a great democracy.
Bush or no Bush - this country is well and kicking, and I can assure you in 100% - you Pat, you also have your contribution in that great process, called 'world's leadership'.
Why, you may ask?
Because you do!
And that do is the word I'd like to emphasize upon.
Thanks, gal

Keep that blood boiling in your veins.
g.

Middle photo..!
Good stuff.

Vincelavisse (454) 2006-10-17 21:36

BOnjour Patricia,

This is a wonderful illustration. I post you a comment.

Thanks a lot for sharing,

Vincent

pboehringer (770) 2006-10-17 22:05

Your collage has an immense value and the note is an excellent documentary that there are people that clearly has a different point to perceive facts and still have the humpf to talk, protest about it. This is true democracy and I support any freedom of speech or freedom of pictures. I wish we would have more of such liberties around ...
TFS, Peter