Occupy Wall Street
In the fall of 2011, the whole world was in the depths of the economic devastation caused by the 2008 housing crisis. Many people lost their jobs, their homes and their hope. I felt it firsthand.
Appearing out of nowhere, this small group of protestors landed in a place and time that was to become an international phenomenon. Those people came to be known as Occupy Wall Street and their home for several months was a tent city in the center of the world of finance. Across the street today, is the monument to the World Trade Center.
It started when the NYPD guided a group of protesters to one square block of privately owned land open to the public, Zuccotti Park. Located on the southern part of Broadway. A technicality in the law allowed them to stay until the owner required them to leave.
Individuals from all walks of life joined hands to help and be heard. They wanted change. They set up a functioning village with food, healthcare, shelter and much more. Some lived there day and night. Many more visited and offered what they could.
Their motto was “We Are The 99 Percent” and among the loudest and most unifying message was economic fairness for all.
In the beginning, I cheered them on from afar. After watching many arrests and unfair attacks in the media, I went to see for myself. Immediately, I was enchanted by the spirit of community and support shown by so many people who had never met before. Everyone had their own message to share. I was curious by what people had to say.
From the moment I arrived in early October, I took out my camera and didn’t stop photographing until they were forcibly removed just before Thanksgiving.
My goal was to photograph as many of the people I met as possible. To capture the faces of “We The People”. I knew I wanted to use my old trusty Rollieflex. The expense of film and processing was a constraint. One frame per face and one of what they brought with them was my solution. Over one thousand portraits later, I have a document of a hopeful moment in history.
Location: Zuccotti Park, Manhattan, NYC
Camera: Rollieflex, 120mm color film