Saturday, January 10, 2009

Images from the Gaza Protest in Amman 9th Jan

The great photographer James Nachtway once said "I want my pictures to cut through political abstractions... and make a connection on a human level."
While shooting the anti-Israeli protest in Amman that quote was bouncing in my head. This was like no shoot I have done yet, I got a very mild taste of what conflict photographers experience while making pictures that are historical testimonies to what happens in our world.
The protest was peaceful for the most of it until it got a bit heated with the police and the protesters started throwing shoes, rocks and whatever was within hands reach.
The police reacted with tear gas and batons and pushed the protesters down the street. We got heavy with gas, women, children and men were running away affected by the gas, some took shelter in a close by mosque.
I still don't believe I captured images like these on the streets of Amman.

"No to an embassy, no to an ambassador, no relations with Israel."
The Venezuelan flag and a picture of Chavez made an appearance.
One of the big flags at the protest
Saddam made an appearance too
A father and his two kids in the tribute graveyard next to the protest
Alone in the midst of the tribute graveyard

The Israeli flag burned
Kids running away as things got heated upA general scene of the protestShe stood in silence as the men prayed in the midst of the protestThe riot police stood firm and their leaders controlled them well
The protesters also helped in keeping order
A strong line of riot police kept the protesters from moving on
I was trying to get as close as possible to the first line of the protest
As the violence started a woman moving away from the protest area
The police shield themselves from rocks
As the tear gas was dispensed the effects where felt by all
Onions were used as a way to soften the effect of the gas
The police also used water canons
One of the injured men
A line of police gets some rest
A protester holds a gas canister
An injured man gets taken to a car
Protesters put an injured man in a car
Another injured man carried away
The protest area after clearing it
A tear gas canister is dispensed

The rocks that were thrown damaged some cars in the areaProtesters throw stones at the police from atop houses

The last image I took before leaving
Should be developing the film pics soon, hopefully i'll get to post them.
A story featuring the pictures is posted on 7iber.com

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12 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

Outstanding photographs, Laith. I congratulate you on these very powerful photos you took.

4:20 PM  
Blogger MISS GLOW/ nena jaguar said...

your work is awesome!! this pictures are great and full of power!..i'd say the best pictures i've seen in the last 2 years...i'm speechless...CONGRATS!! you're great!
one luv

8:16 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

to be able to witness such a protest must have been intense, but looking at ur pictures i feel distressed in a good way!!!
you captured each moment with such power im able to feel the riot as if i was there...
ur a fantastic photographer Laith.. keep up the story telling
sending u lots of love
see you soon
xxx
Lara S.

10:01 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

descriptive and meaningful images that show the shameful silence of the helpless government …

1:33 AM  
Blogger LotusGem said...

Excellent work.

How did the riots start?

1:49 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Great shots. Amazing!

How were you able to get this close to protestors and to the police? Weren't you afraid that you may get harmed, or that they may take away/break your equipments? I always wonder how do war photographers take their shots.

3:32 PM  
Blogger Farah said...

The pictures are amazing.

Nice work.

10:06 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

God! ,,,these pictures are outstanding, they've illustrated the point!

dude, you got the gift!

12:29 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Amazing photos..I'm speechless. I missed the protest though I live just a couple streets from the Embassy..ggrrr..Thank you for the pictures - I am a photographer as well and am truly impressed with your work. Keep it up!

12:12 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

IM SHOCKED ...JUST NO COMMENT

ALAS....!!!

ASEER ALQALAM

4:55 PM  
Blogger Oleander said...

Amazing photo journalism. Wow!

10:49 PM  
Blogger Unknown said...

Man this is very expressive, MashaAllah :)
Great job man ...

10:35 AM  

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