amNewYork presents Photo Perspective, telling a noteworthy story captured through the lens of a decades-old film camera. This story focuses on months of protests in NYC.
Protests are a fundamental right in America, and New Yorkers exercise that right like no other.
From standing up for their fellow man during the civil rights movement to demonstrating against the Vietnam War, Black and White images of public revolts from long ago remaineseared into the country’s consciousness today.
Using a camera from the 1970s, amNewYork has followed several protests over the last several months to capture similar moments on film from today’s social climate, including mass arrests, vandalism, and large-scale marches.
Trump Tower
On March 13, activists from Jewish Voice for Peace staged a massive sit-in at Trump Tower on 5th Avenue. Demanding the release of detained Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, the group of about 100 people refused to leave the namesake of the president until their demands were met.
This led to a large-scale response by the NYPD that saw the mass arrest of protesters. From being zip-tied and led out of the gold-encrusted area to literally being carried away, New Yorkers strove to show their disapproval for the immigration detention.
Tesla
Activists from Extinction Rebellion NYC wound up in handcuffs on April 22 after they looked to push back against Elon Musk and DOGE, citing the erosion of democratic rights. The group Took their frustrations out on the Tesla dealership in the Meatpacking district by spray-painting the windows.
Perspective buyers on the inside looked on in shock as the window was smeared with anti-Musk sentiments. Cops quickly responded and took two activists into custody.
May Day
Hundreds of protesters gathered at Union Square on May 1 on what is widely known as International Workers’ Day or Labour Day. Those in attendance carrying signs, banners, and flags each brought their own cause for which they railed, from workers’ rights to condemnation of President Trump to opposing the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
The large-scale demonstration saw the group of all ages march through the streets to the New York Public Library where they merged a variety of causes together for one May Day demonstration.
These photos were captured on the Nikon F2 using Ilford Black and White 400 and 80 film. This camera was the kind used by photojournalists who covered the Vietnam War.
