Maranie Staab

Photographer + Journalist + Videographer

www.maranierae.com/

The Protest Photos You Don't See

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Location: Portland, Oregon

Nationality: American

Biography: Maranie is an independent photographer, videographer and journalist currently based in Portland, Oregon. Her work focuses on human rights and social justice issues, social movements, displacement and the impact(s) of conflict on individuals and... MORE

Jacqueline Warren, Jadaya Hende...manding he receive better care.

Jacqueline Warren, Jadaya Henderson, and Mani Bell console Jamaica Bloodworth, 10, outside of the Syracuse Justice Center on June 16, 2020. After learning that Jakelle Davis, a young Black man, had been moved to the jail only days after receiving surgery (after being shot in the face) the group held two days of demonstrations demanding he receive better care.

Damon, 8, holds his hands up in...sed his hands in participation.

Damon, 8, holds his hands up in surrender while wearing a shirt emblazoned with the words, "I am not dangerous" during a demonstration for racial justice in Syracuse, New York.

As a crowd of several hundred demonstrators yelled the refrain, "Hands up, don't shoot," one of the youngest attendees raised his hands in participation.

A protester walks past a line o...fort to disperse demonstrators.

A protester walks past a line of Federal officers carrying a leaf blower on the night of July 30, 2020. Leaf blowers are used by protesters to dispel tear gas and other chemical gases used by law enforcement in an effort to disperse demonstrators.

A child raises his hands in res...in downtown Syracuse, New York.

A child raises his hands in response to chants of "Black Lives Matter" while sitting upon his grandfather's shoulders during a demonstration for racial justice in downtown Syracuse, New York.

Protesters hold intertwined bla...sburgh, Pennsylvania. June 2020

Protesters hold intertwined black and white bandanas during a march for racial justice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. June 2020

Protesters stand on a corner ne..., building in Portland, Oregon.

Protesters stand on a corner near the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, building in Portland, Oregon.

An antifascist protester plays ...onstration in Portland, Oregon.

An antifascist protester plays the banjo while holding a large gun during a nighttime demonstration in Portland, Oregon.

For over five hours a caravan o...demand for a more just America.

For over five hours a caravan of several hundred protesters, some on foot and others in cars, covered miles of Syracuse city streets in a demonstration of community and solidarity to demand for a more just America.

Known simply as Trumpet Man, Ca...y life or cognition.”

Known simply as Trumpet Man, Camillo Massagli, is on the streets every night in Portland to protest and play his trumpet—a gift from his grandfather when he was 12 years old. The sounds of his trumpet are familiar to most protesting and act as a rally cry, a morale booster and often accompany “no shoes” when he raps in support of Black lives and against police brutality. On Sunday July 26, 2020 Camillo was shot in the face by Federal officers. “I was about 20 feet away from the soldier when he fired and was holding my arms straight out to the sides, Trumpet in one, leaf blower in another.” “I was retreating from the Federal building fence. No announcement was made by dispersal, which is common now. We simply saw storm troopers advancing, so we moved back. I was followed all the way across the park to 4th ave when I turned to look at a Federal officer. I saw him raise his gun and fire. It was not crossfire or a random shot into the ground. As far as I'm concerned, it was attempted murder. The doctors were wondering why there was glass in my face and checked if my goggles were shattered. It turns out that the hard plastic casing on the pepper ball I was shot with splinters into sharp shrapnel when the gas powered gun's pressure is turned up high enough. I suffered through hours of prodding in my face with forceps, with repeated painful numbing injections as the medicine wore off. After a CT scan, it was determined that not all the shrapnel could be removed, so instead of stitches, I would have to make do with butterfly strips and constant slow bleeding until I could see a surgeon.” “I am very fortunate not to have lost an eye, a lip or even in the case of a temple shot, my life or cognition.”

Several thousand protesters mar...e on the neck of George Floyd].

Several thousand protesters marched for nearly 10 miles throughout the city of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on June 4, 2020. On one of several stops throughout the march the group joined hands and laid on the roadway for 8 minutes and 45 seconds [the amount of time Officer Chauvin had his knee on the neck of George Floyd].

A protester wearing pig pajamas..., building in Portland, Oregon.

A protester wearing pig pajamas faces off against Federal DHS officers in riot gear near the Federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement, ICE, building in Portland, Oregon.

Demonstrators chant "H...020 in Minneapolis, Minnestota.

Demonstrators chant "Hands up, don't shoot" in unison as they march through the streets of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania during a protest against police brutality and the murder of George Floyd.

One t-shirt reads "Mama", a nod to George Floyd crying out repeatedlyfor his mother while Officer Derek Chauvin held him to the ground on May 25, 2020 in Minneapolis, Minnestota.

Demonstrators fly an upside Ame...ntown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Demonstrators fly an upside American flag and hold their hands up in a gesture of surrender while shouting "No justice, no peace" during a march through downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A protester weilds an umbrella ...hal munitions on July 29, 2020.

A protester weilds an umbrella for protection while Portland police officers prepare to use teargas and less-lethal munitions on July 29, 2020.

Three “moms&rdquo...ldren to grow up in”.

Three “moms” join hands and stand in protest before a moving DHS (Department of Homeland Security) vehicle in downtown Portland, Oregon. These mothers are among thousands who have gathered to protest the presence of Federal officers in the city — while most are from Portland many have come from across the country to join hands in solidarity. Some are full-time professionals, some are students and others are stay-at-home mothers — all have put what was once their “normal life” on hold to make their outrage and demands for justice heard. Over the past week they've stood alongside other protesters and have been teargassed, physically assaulted and shot with less-lethal munitions. But the moms, just like the fathers carrying leaf blowers, the Veterans and hundreds of other American citizens who have protests nightly for the last two months are not going anywhere. Per the words of one mother, “Now that it looks like the Feds will step back we can get return to the reason we first came out here — the work of addressing police misconduct and racial justice. What is happening here is happening everywhere; as a mother this is not the America I want my children to grow up in”.

Even the youngest observer coul...a of what a protest looks like.

Even the youngest observer could not contain their excitement when protesters with the group "Last Chance for Change" marched throughout Syracuse, New York. The group committed to 40 days of protest against police brutality and racial injustice. With a consistent, insistent approach and a tendency to clean up neighborhoods and littered parking lots as they pass through, the group defied the common idea of what a protest looks like.

"They tell us to be pa...rgh, Pennsylvania. June 4, 2020

"They tell us to be patient, but people are dying". To suggest patience is to speak from a place of comfort and privilege where time is a familiar luxury. A woman raises her hand in solidarity as a march of several hundred pepole goes by in the Hill District neighborhood of PIttsburgh, Pennsylvania. June 4, 2020

A wall of umbrellas and homemad...ess-lethal" munitions.

A wall of umbrellas and homemade shields is used by protesters to protect against pepper balls and "less-lethal" munitions.

In an act of defiance a protest...near the Portland police union.

In an act of defiance a protester lays in front of two police cruisers near the Portland police union.

This man sat in silent prayer o...of protest in Portland, Oregon.

This man sat in silent prayer or meditation throughout much of a night of protest in Portland, Oregon.

A bystander watches a group of ...ration Day in Portland, Oregon.

A bystander watches a group of protesters march by during a demonstration on Inaguration Day in Portland, Oregon.

When teargas begins to flood th...til she regained her faculties.

When teargas begins to flood the streets and when pepperballs, rubber bullets and other “less-lethal” munitions start to fly small teams of volunteer medics are ready. Some are from Portland, others have come from cities across the country — all are here to treat the wounds and medical needs of protesters who are demonstrating nightly in downtown Portland. This woman collapsed in the middle of a downtown street as she ran from the federal courthouse—the epicenter of the protests and from where teargas canisters are launched nightly by federal officers. Within a minute her inhaler was administered and emergency eyewash and saline was used to flush her eyes. Brian Lovell , who goes by “dad” on the street, sat with her in the street until she regained her faculties.

Cherily, age 7, participates in...ing the murder of George Floyd.

Cherily, age 7, participates in a demonstration in Syracuse, New York following the murder of George Floyd.

A protesters writes the phone n...ce in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

A protesters writes the phone number of the National Lawyers Guild on the arm of another demonstrator prior to a march for racial justice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On May 28, 2021 Colombians in t... hundreds are reported missing.

On May 28, 2021 Colombians in the capital city of Bogota marked one month of protest against a violent police force and a government accused of furthering economic and social inequities. Demonstrations began on April 28, triggered by a proposed tax reform, but continued and escalated after the reform was rescinded. The ongoing protests are in in response to police violence and what demonstrators cite as high levels of social and economic inequality.   Police have responded to protests with teargas, less-lethal munitions and in some cases live ammunition. More than 42 people are reported to have been killed during recent anti-government protests and hundreds are reported missing.

Donning a helmet, gas mask and ...tland, Oregon on July 30, 2020.

Donning a helmet, gas mask and eye protection a protester holds colorful balloons and a homemade shield outside of the Federal Courthouse in Downtown Portland, Oregon on July 30, 2020.

A woman steps out from a Hill D... to police brutality.

A woman steps out from a Hill District shop and stands in quiet solidarity as the passing crowd sings, "Which side are you on?".

Well over a thousand people marched near ten miles through the streets of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to protest the murder of George Floyd and in a demand for a more racially just society and an end to police brutality.

The state of things. The afterm... do we go from here?”

The state of things. The aftermath of an action, inaction or occurrence is often less sexy and less easily consumed than the main event, given less consideration when making decisions and too rarely paid close attention. Aftermath asks, and sometimes begs, us to reflect, to relive and to consider real and lasting impact(s). It poses questions, suggests conversations and often tells hard truths. None of this is comfortable, but it is necessary. Perhaps most importantly, when considering consequences we are asked, “what is it stake?” and “how does this moment in time fit into the longer lens of history?” and ... “where do we go from here?”

PLAY

STOP

GRID

FULL

LOVE

Thumbnail of Jacqueline Warren, Jadaya Hender_emanding he receive better care.

Thumbnail of Damon, 8, holds his hands up in _ised his hands in participation.

Thumbnail of A protester walks past a line of_ffort to disperse demonstrators.

Thumbnail of A child raises his hands in resp_ in downtown Syracuse, New York.

Thumbnail of Protesters hold intertwined blac_tsburgh, Pennsylvania. June 2020

Thumbnail of Protesters stand on a corner nea_E, building in Portland, Oregon.

Thumbnail of An antifascist protester plays t_monstration in Portland, Oregon.

Thumbnail of For over five hours a caravan of_ demand for a more just America.

Thumbnail of Known simply as Trumpet Man, Cam_my life or cognition.”

Thumbnail of Several thousand protesters marc_ee on the neck of George Floyd].

Thumbnail of A protester wearing pig pajamas _E, building in Portland, Oregon.

Thumbnail of Demonstrators chant "Ha_2020 in Minneapolis, Minnestota.

Thumbnail of Demonstrators fly an upside Amer_wntown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Thumbnail of A protester weilds an umbrella f_thal munitions on July 29, 2020.

Thumbnail of Three “moms”_ildren to grow up in”.

Thumbnail of Even the youngest observer could_ea of what a protest looks like.

Thumbnail of "They tell us to be pat_urgh, Pennsylvania. June 4, 2020

Thumbnail of A wall of umbrellas and homemade_less-lethal" munitions.

Thumbnail of In an act of defiance a proteste_ near the Portland police union.

Thumbnail of This man sat in silent prayer or_ of protest in Portland, Oregon.

Thumbnail of A bystander watches a group of p_uration Day in Portland, Oregon.

Thumbnail of When teargas begins to flood the_ntil she regained her faculties.

Thumbnail of Cherily, age 7, participates in _wing the murder of George Floyd.

Thumbnail of A protesters writes the phone nu_ice in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Thumbnail of On May 28, 2021 Colombians in th_d hundreds are reported missing.

Thumbnail of Donning a helmet, gas mask and e_rtland, Oregon on July 30, 2020.

Thumbnail of A woman steps out from a Hill Di_d to police brutality.

Thumbnail of The state of things. The afterma_e do we go from here?”

Private Story

The Protest Photos You Don't See

Copyright Maranie Rae 2024

Updated Nov 2021

Topics Action, Activism, Belief, Black and White, Capitalism, Civil Rights, Community, Conflict, Confrontation, Documentary, Editorial, Essays, Ethnic minorities, Freedom, Human Rights, Journalism, Media, Minority, Photography, Photojournalism, Politics, Protests, Race, Racism, Reporting, Revolution, Video, Youth

The media plays a critical role in how the public perceives protests.

The words used, images published, and information disseminated directly affect public support and ultimately if and what societal and policy changes are made.

For photographers and photo editors, the decision of what images to share and what to hold back matters. Context matters. Language matters. With this influence, there is a responsibility to shun simplistic narratives. A failure to recognize and respect that responsibility has real and lasting consequences.

A "protest photo" has come to evoke a specific type of image; this depiction is often an incomplete, harmful trope. Those gathered to protest are portrayed as a single entity—"protesters"—or worse, as criminal, depraved, and a fringe group with ludicrous demands. The images centered are of sensational moments—an act of violence, a depiction of an (often Black) protester yelling or displaying heightened emotions or some form of property destruction.

We've all seen these photographs.

While such an image may represent a moment, it is but part of the story. This simplification suggests that chaos and vandalism have defined the protests, rather than the demand that law enforcement stops killing Black people.

What is often missing are quiet moments, joyous and tearful embraces, names, and humanizing details that might connect us to those who can otherwise seem unfamiliar and distant. This omission does little but characterizes the experience of others as alien and unrelatable, fueling existing division, creating others, and furthering an absence of empathy. Simplistic reporting is a failure and disservice to the American public and aids in the erosion of trust in the press.

As a journalist, our first role is to hold power accountable. Beyond that, the aim is to add nuance to an often simplistic depiction of a set of societal issues that have and will continue to define our time.

Comprised of a collection of images made in Pittsburgh, Portland, Syracuse, and Rochester, this effort aims to challenge an industry [and readership] and about bridging the chasm between what is widely reported and the ground truth. It is about adding nuance, intimacy, and humanity to "protest reporting."

Maranie Rae

Nov 21, 2022

Story [Unlisted]

La Resistencia

Maranie Rae

Nov 19, 2022

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