American Democracy

Hot! In Democracy

by Anthony Kurtz

Uploaded 27 Sep 2007 — 69 favorites

© Anthony Kurtz

Aren't we supposed to have the right to protest peacefully in the streets? Isn't it written in the constitution?

San Francisco, 2005

Addition:

Thanks for all the comments. FYI this protester was peaceful, the only "crime" he committed was to exercice his rights to protest. He refused to get off the street and this is what happened.

The guys head is tilted back so far that it is almost invisible. You can see his left ear under the cop's glove.

Anti-war protest in San Francisco, 2005

34 responses

  • Calvin Sun

    Calvin Sun gave props (29 Sep 2007):

    powerful capture.

  • Sean Hall

    Sean Hall gave props (1 Oct 2007):

    wow, amazing.

  • kimberly perette

    kimberly perette said (6 Nov 2007):

    Beautiful! And yes,Virgina, it is written in the constitution, but we have something called "the Patriot Act." Yes, you may say, but we have habeas corpus. Wait, that was taken away a few years ago in case of emergencies. Hurray for democracy or is it plutocracy...we seem to get the first four letters mixed up...

  • Mike McReynolds

    Mike McReynolds gave props (28 Nov 2007):

    Well done photographic commentary. Fave.

  • Carmen Branson

    Carmen Branson gave props (3 Dec 2007):

    This image is full of raw power and emotion. Awesome.

  • Daniel Anzola

    Daniel Anzola said (16 Jan 2008):

    I enjoy your dark style a lot. It reminds me of Frank Miller's comics.

  • Don Harney

    Don Harney gave props (31 Jan 2008):

    Great picture.

  • Wiktor Figiel

    Wiktor Figiel said (8 Feb 2008):

    raw democracy. true true...

  • Kreddible Trout

    Kreddible Trout said (11 Feb 2008):

    stunning but sadly not surprising.

  • cody blakeman

    cody blakeman gave props (20 Feb 2008):

    i like thew contrast of the's photos ..how did you do this .. well all and all i think it's amzing lol ^_^

  • Dingo

    Dingo said (10 Apr 2008):

    great capture! we used to have rights...the patriot act took so much from us. 8 months and counting till he's gone.

  • b. Elenor

    b. Elenor said (4 Jun 2008):

    there are no words. brilliant.

  • Jerry Slough

    Jerry Slough gave props (5 Jun 2008):

    my thoughts exactly

  • nicolas celaya

    nicolas celaya said (6 Jun 2008):

    ACTION
    Great composition!
    Es buenisima !

  • Robert Larson

    Robert Larson said (8 Jun 2008):

    Assuming he didn't do anything to warrant what he got in the picture, yes. But the image doesn't show the events leading up to the image. If he so much as spat in their face, I'm all for them taking him down like that.

  • Rashun Drayton

    Rashun Drayton said (10 Jun 2008):

    I agree with Larson. To assume the Police are arresting him simply for being "peaceful" is hard to do since we do not know the circumstances leading to the arrest. He doesn't look too "peaceful" to me though. Nice capture nevertheless.

  • Alex Glaubitz

    Alex Glaubitz said (12 Jun 2008):

    Excellent photo. It describes democracy well, with the right to protest comes the responsibility to keep it peaceful. In our system the police are there to protect us. They don't wear SWAT helmets to peaceful rallies.

  • Olivier Vin

    Olivier Vin gave props (16 Jun 2008):

    Powerful catch ! I love the "Action" in background :p

  • Sagi Shapira

    Sagi Shapira gave props (17 Jun 2008):

    great capture!!

  • Sebastian

    Sebastian gave props (19 Jun 2008):

    very strong interpretation of the theme and a excellent capture.

  • Brian Ragsdale

    Brian Ragsdale said (20 Jun 2008):

    I agree with Larson and Drayton.
    Photography can be powerful. It can be used to point out injustice in this world or mislead people into believing the photographers point of view. With out knowing what led up to this moment in time that was so well captured; we can't say that this man was being done an injustice. In my opinion people in general are so blindly led. We need to wake up and look at the bigger picture!

  • Jacob Olsen

    Jacob Olsen said (21 Jun 2008):

    I agree with all those who posted before me, saying that one must know the story of the events before this beautiful capture. If the protester was peaceful than you are completely right... i suppose it all depends on what you think "peaceful" is. Nonetheless, Amazing just like your other photos. I love the way you use your photography to express your views so well. Great!!

  • Katie Bushueff

    Katie Bushueff said (24 Jun 2008):

    Love the photo! Perfect for the topic! And I agree with everything that's already been written...
    I think it's the way i'm looking at the picture but the only thing that's confusing me about this picture is i can't figure out where the guys head is??? Does anyone else see that? haha, when i first looked at it, it caught me off guard...I mean that in no negative way to the photograph. I'm totally serious though...I can't see the protesters head! haha... Great photo nonetheless!

  • Dan Benjamin

    Dan Benjamin gave props (28 Jun 2008):

    Outstanding!

  • Stephan Sachs

    Stephan Sachs gave props (30 Jun 2008):

    awesome! yeah!

  • M M

    M M gave props (6 Jul 2008):

    Very strong picture. Excellent!

  • Christopher Long

    Christopher Long gave props (9 Jul 2008):

    Very stong & powerful image!

  • Ricardo Ramos

    Ricardo Ramos said (11 Jul 2008):

    awesome photo. and damn i dont even see the victim's head.

  • Aaron Schultz

    Aaron Schultz gave props (21 Jul 2008):

    Powerful capture!

  • Fenton Ayres

    Fenton Ayres   gave props (26 Jul 2008):

    Absolutely stunning and powerful capture!

  • Liz Ramirez

    Liz Ramirez gave props (2 Aug 2008):

    Wow. Intense shot. got my vote!

  • Leonardo Regnier

    Leonardo Regnier said (5 Aug 2008):

    Very nice picture!!!! VOTED!!!!
    Leo
    ps.: Could you please consider to view (and vote) my pictures? http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/486972 http://www.jpgmag.com/photos/792500

  • Nora Kubach

    Nora Kubach gave props (28 Oct 2008):

    very powerful, amazing... congratulations

To add your comment, Log in or sign up!