Immigration
By cultivating relationships, creating original content, and documenting actions I’ve worked to bring attention to issues affecting the immigrant community in Memphis.
Non-Profit Work
Partnering with the non-profit Latino Memphis and journalism site MLK50.com I photographed DACA recipients and their families for a series of articles and an advocacy campaign urging elected representatives to support the Dream Act:
The DACA series from MLK50.com explores the impact on migrant families facing uncertainty. Click for sample. More links at bottom.
The photos were used in a series of postcards addressed to senators and members of congress urging them to support the Dream Act:
Actions
As Memphis commemorated the 50th anniversary of the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., demonstrators held a “rolling block party” to bring attention to continuing injustice and inequality in the city where King was killed. Many protesters were arrested while demonstrating outside the county jail dressed as ICE officers and immigrant detainees to protest local law enforcement’s cooperation with federal authorities. Some of my photos were featured in this story from The Guardian about the demonstrations.
I am grateful for the trust and relationships that allow me to document. Protestors occupied the headquarters of private prison company CoreCivic (formerly Corrections Corporation of America) in a predawn action, shutting down the Nashville-based corporation's office building for the day.
At least 19 protestors were arrested by police, some of whom had locked themselves to cement-filled barrels to block parking garage entrances to the office. Others chained themselves together with sections of pipe, while one demonstrator swung atop a 30-foot tripod.
Among the arrested was Rev. Jeannie Alexander who said in a statement, “For decades Core Civic has engaged in the business of tearing apart families and destroying communities...the world watches CoreCivic abuse and cage immigrant families for profit...Today we move to abolish CoreCivic.”
Below are photos from the occupation:
Community
It is important to me to photograph not only flash points and moments of crisis, but moments of coming together and healing. It has been my privilege to document these events whether folks gather for “Desayuno con Libros (Books and Breakfast),” organize to demand change from leaders, create public art, volunteer to help asylum seekers, or hold vigil for those affected by injustice:
