Bans Off Our Bodies

Like so many societal issues facing the American populace in recent years, abortion rights are now front and center — and under threat.

This article features images from the Bans Off Our Bodies rally that was held at Cal Anderson Park in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Seattle, Washington. By the time I arrived, there were already hundreds of people gathered for the event. By the time I departed, there were probably thousands of people. I observed how many attendees stood next to each other displaying signage with opposing messages in regards to abortion rights.

Interestingly enough, I have discovered — through previous experience of photographing protests and rallies — that these are among the few public events in which people very much welcome their photo being taken (typically with the signs they carry). Few people shy away from photographers approaching them. I believe this is a result of just how important they view the subject or topic for which they arrived to protest.

My goal is not to lecture or impose my own view about abortion rights on you, the reader. (Alas, there is already a surplus of people within all levels of government who are doing this).

My objective is to present intriguing photographs pertaining to yet another major and critical inflection point in American democracy within recent years. During yesterday’s rally, I took nearly 300 photos. Since then, I have taken considerable time to review each photo and share approximately 40 of the ones that I consider to be the best among the set. Of note, it was captivating to observe the weather transition from grey, drizzly overcast at the beginning of the rally to sunny skies by the end. (I live in Seattle so, of course, we find significance in such things).

Given how important this particular issue is in the course of current affairs and American history, I did not see the utility of waiting until next week or a later date to present these images.

This is a critical issue that’s transpiring as I type, and will likely be one for months or years to come.

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Here is the first set of images, in portrait framing. Please click on any image to view an enlargement and click on the arrow keys on either side to view the entire set of images.

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Here is the second set of images, in landscape framing. Please click on any image to view an enlargement and click on the arrow keys on either side to view the entire set of images.

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