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2011 Year of the Protester: Photo Retrospective
Time magazine named “The Protester” the Person of the Year for 2011. The Greater Lansing (Michigan) area had its fair share of “Protesters” in 2011, to say the least.
The Peace Education Center thanks the many activists who participated in numerous public actions, protests, and rallies — and we look forward to standing in solidarity with you again in 2012.
Below are the Peace Education Center’s favorite local action photos from 2011 that capture the spirit of our activist community. More photos that highlight the year can be found on the Peace Education Center’s Flickr photo page here. Check out the photos — you might be in a few! Most photos below also include links to additional pictures and video from the various actions, which are results from independent, alternative media coverage provided by the Peace Education Center.
Fed Up, Speak Up – This family was part of the Michigan Solidarity Rally at the Michigan State Capitol Building on March 16, 2011.
Books Not Bombs — This school girl expresses her government spending priority at theOccupy Lansing rally on October 15, 2011. The subtext of her sign says, “Even I can do the math.”
World Friendship Day 2011 — Christiane Leitinger (center) of the “Pennies for Peace” campaign was the keynote speak at the first annual World Friendship Day, a multicultural educational event for youth (age 11 -14). The event included art activities, music, food, and much more. If you have a youth group interested in participating in World Friendship Day on March 24, 2012, please contact the Peace Education Center. The event is free for participating students.
May Day 2011 — Activists from the Lansing Workers Center and the NorthStar Center held a pro-worker march on May 1, 2011. See video from the rally and march here.
Abbey Road Moment — This scene was captured during the October 7, 2011 “Silent Walk for Peace in Afghanistan.” The mini-documentary from the Walk can be viewed here.
Joan and Ann Occupy the State Capitol — Activists Joan Tirak and Ann Francis participate in the Occupy Lansing rally on October 15, 2011. You can watch the various speeches from the rally on the Peace Education Center’s YouTube channelhttp://www.youtube.com/peaceedcenter.
March Without Fear — A Lansing contingent was part of the “March Without Fear” in Detroit, Michigan on August 20, 2011, supporting immigrant rights. See photos here and a video statement from student activists here.
500th Straight Weekly Peace Vigil — This group photo was taken on April 15, 2011 when the Lansing Peace Community held its 500th straight weekly peace vigil at the Michigan State Capitol Building since the 9/11 incident.
V for Vendetta — The mask is a theme from the movie, V for Vendetta. Activists brought the attitude to the Occupy Lansing rally at the Michigan State Capitol Building on October 15, 2011.
Emergency Manager Law Impact — Reverend Edward Pinkney of Benton Harbor, Michigan, spoke about Michigan’s Emergency Financial Managers law at the NorthStar Center on September 17, 2011. If you want to know more about this controversy in Michigan, you should watch the video of Rev. Pinkney’s presentation here.
May Day March Down Michigan Avenue — This is a scene from the international Labor Day March organized by the Lansing Workers Center and the NorthStar Center on May 1, 2011. See video from the rally and march here.
Michigan Peace Network — The year kicked off with a statewide organizing meeting held in Lansing by the Michigan Peace Network (MPN). The details of the coordinated, statewide“Moveable Peace” action for 2011 were hatched on this day. The Peace Education Center will host the 2012 MPN statewide meeting in East Lansing in January.
It’s Okay, I’m From the Internet — A message from the Internet at the Occupy Lansing rally at the Michigan State Capitol Building on October 15, 2011.
US-Uncut — Word spread quickly on Facebook about a US Uncut-Michigan citizens protest of corporation tax cuts and emergency managers powers in Michigan. The crowd gathered at the Michigan State Capitol Building on March 12, 2011. See photos from the rally here and the PEC’s video coverage of the event here.
Environmental Statement at Occupy Lansing Rally – Ecologist Serge Farinas talks about how corporate greed harms the environment, planet, and natural resources. His talk was delivered at the Occupy Lansing (Michigan) rally on October 15, 2011. Watch and hear his statement here.
Shadows and Silence — This scene was captured during the October 7, 2011 “Silent Walk for Peace in Afghanistan.” The mini-documentary from the Walk can be viewed here.
It’s Not Fair Rally — Protesters fed up with state government policies and spending priorities converged on the State Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan, on March 15, 2011, for the “It’s Not Fair” rally.
Sun and Silence — This is another scene captured during the October 7, 2011 “Silent Walk for Peace in Afghanistan.” The mini-documentary from the Walk can be viewed here.
Bridges Open Mic — Poets and participants from the Bridges Open Mic poetry reading event in East Lansing on November 22, 2011. The event celebrated gender expression; challenged militarism and gender violence; and honored Trans gender and Two Spirit voices. See more photos here.
Moveable Peace Picnic — The Peace Education Center hosted a peace picnic for activists from around the state who walked to Lansing for the Michigan Peace Network’s Moveable Peace rally on August 9, 2011. See pictures from the picnic here and from the rally here.
Planet Over Profit– More messages from activists at the Occupy Lansing rally at the Michigan State Capitol Building on October 15, 2011.
March Without Fear II — Activists from across Michigan joined residents on Detroit’s southeast side for the “March Without Fear” in Detroit on August 20, 2011, supporting immigrant rights. See photos here and a video statement from student activists here.
Sedition World Orchestra — Joe Kidd and the Sedition World Orchestra played at Lake Lansing Park in Haslett, Michigan, in support of the statewide “Moveable Peace” campaign. Here Joe Kidd (front) is pictured with the orchestra plus Kevin “Mr. Peace” Szawala (second from left in the back). See pictures here.
US-Uncut II — More sentiments from the US Uncut-Michigan citizens protest of corporation tax cuts and emergency managers powers in Michigan on March 12, 2011. See photos from the rally here and the PEC’s video coverage of the event here.
Michigan Forum on Jobs & Human Needs — Lynn Jondahl at the lectern introduces a panel discussion held at the Michigan Forum on Jobs & Human Needs on March 5, 2011, in Lansing, Michigan. Video recorded discussions from the forum are available concerning federal government spending priorities, the real cost of the federal government, government’s role in budgeting, the role of labor unions, Michigan’s context for budget crisis, and summation.
10th Anniversary of Lansing’s Weekly Peace Vigil — This group photo for the 10th anniversary of the Lansing weekly peace vigil on September 16, 2011. It was the 522nd straight weekly peace vigil since the 9/11 incident. The vigils continue every Friday at noon in front of the State Capitol Building in Lansing, Michigan.
March Without Fear III — Immigrant youth make statement at Detroit’s March Without Fear on Saturday, August 20, 2011. The video recording of the state is here. Also see photos from the event here.
Too Many Have Died — Activist Charlie Nash makes the point on October 7, 2011, during the public protest prior to the “Silent Walk for Peace in Afghanistan.” The mini-documentary from the Walk can be viewed here.
Addressing the Plight of the Unemployed at Occupy Lansing — Writer/Activist Monica Ross-Williams talks about the plight of the unemployed at the Occupy Lansing (Michigan) rally. The rally took place at the Michigan State Capitol Building on Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011. Watch and hear her statement here.
Resisting Profiling, Preemptive Prosecution and Prisoner Abuse: A Citizens Hearing – U.S. Representative Hansen Clarke of Detroit addresses federal policies in a talk before a Detroit audience advocating for civil liberties and an end to FBI repression. The presentation was part of a program organized to address “Resisting Profiling, Preemptive Prosecution and Prisoner Abuse, A citizens hearing to confront repression of human rights and civil liberties by the criminal justice system.” The event was July 16, 2011 in Detroit, Michigan (USA). Peace Education Center video crew recorded all the speakers and have them posted on its YouTube channel here.
SEE YOU IN 2012!
