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This image was taken by a photojournalist working under the employ of the Associated Press, a US news agency founded in 1846 and still in operation today. These photographers endeavored to take in-focus, direct, and straightforward illustrations that would clearly communicate important events with the American public. Documentary photography of social protest movements (and particularly police violence) played a major role in shaping public opinion in these years. 

 


DimensionsOverall: 6 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. (15.9 x 23.5 cm)
Accession Number 2025.248
Classificationsphotograph
ProvenanceJeff Perry; Des Moines Art Center [gift from the previous, 2025]
Mrs. Coretta Scott King narrates Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" during a Memorial Day concert, by the Washington National Symphony, dedicated to her late husband, Martin Luther King Jr. on May 31. The concert was originally scheduled to be held at the Lincoln Memorial May 30, where the Poor People's Campaign is encamped. Seated at left is Howard Mitchell, music director, Washington DC, June 1, 1968
Image Not Available for Mrs. Coretta Scott King narrates Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" during a Memorial Day concert, by the Washington National Symphony, dedicated to her late husband, Martin Luther King Jr. on May 31. The concert was originally scheduled to be held at the Lincoln Memorial May 30, where the Poor People's Campaign is encamped. Seated at left is Howard Mitchell, music director, Washington DC, June 1, 1968
Image Not Available for Mrs. Coretta Scott King, widow of the late Martin Luther King Jr., rehearses in Constitution Hall for her narration of Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" which she will give February 12th as a part of Abraham Lincoln's 160th birthday anniversary celebration, which President Nixon plans to attend. At right is the celebrated composer, Washington, February 11, 1969
Mrs. Coretta Scott King, widow of the late Martin Luther King Jr., rehearses in Constitution Hall for her narration of Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" which she will give February 12th as a part of Abraham Lincoln's 160th birthday anniversary celebration, which President Nixon plans to attend. At right is the celebrated composer, Washington, February 11, 1969
Unknown
1969
Image Not Available for Massed Marchers at Memorial: From a helicopter, this is the way the March on Washington demonstrators looked today during ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial. Thousands jammed the area after a sign-carrying parade from the Washington Monument grounds, August 28, 1963
Massed Marchers at Memorial: From a helicopter, this is the way the March on Washington demonstrators looked today during ceremonies at the Lincoln Memorial. Thousands jammed the area after a sign-carrying parade from the Washington Monument grounds, August 28, 1963
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1963
Image Not Available for March Director: A. Philip Randolph, international president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and national president of the Negro American Labor Council, is the director of the massive Negro match on Washington, scheduled for later this month. Randolph, 74, headed three previous marches on Washington, August 6, 1963
March Director: A. Philip Randolph, international president of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and national president of the Negro American Labor Council, is the director of the massive Negro match on Washington, scheduled for later this month. Randolph, 74, headed three previous marches on Washington, August 6, 1963
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1963
Image Not Available for Washington Demonstrators Arrested: police made their first arrests of participants in the Poor People's Campaign today for demonstrating outside the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Fifteen of approximately 200 marchers were charged with refusing to heed police orders to stop singing and praying outside the building. Here, police frisk several of the marchers before putting them in the paddy wagon. Those arrested were charged with the use of "loud, threatening or abusive language on capitol grounds.", May 23, 1968
Washington Demonstrators Arrested: police made their first arrests of participants in the Poor People's Campaign today for demonstrating outside the Longworth House Office Building on Capitol Hill. Fifteen of approximately 200 marchers were charged with refusing to heed police orders to stop singing and praying outside the building. Here, police frisk several of the marchers before putting them in the paddy wagon. Those arrested were charged with the use of "loud, threatening or abusive language on capitol grounds.", May 23, 1968
Unknown
1968
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The President, speaking at the White House, pledged the "nation can and shall and will overcome." He also ordered the American Flag to be flown at half staff in tribute to Dr. King, Washington D.C., April 5, 1968
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1968
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
The Inaugural of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, at the Capitol, Washington, March 4, 1861.
Winslow Homer
March 16, 1861
Image Not Available for Suspect Once Stood by Rockwell: John Patler, left, wearing captain's bars on his American Nazi Party uniform, stands at side of party leader Goerge Lincoln Rockwell as he spoke near the white house during a Vietnam demonstration in Washington. Rockwell was killed in Arlington, Virginia August 25th. Patler was charged with his murder, March 26, 1966
Suspect Once Stood by Rockwell: John Patler, left, wearing captain's bars on his American Nazi Party uniform, stands at side of party leader Goerge Lincoln Rockwell as he spoke near the white house during a Vietnam demonstration in Washington. Rockwell was killed in Arlington, Virginia August 25th. Patler was charged with his murder, March 26, 1966
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1966
Image Not Available for Leads Poor Campaign: Civil rights leader Rev. Ralph Abernathy wipes his face during his appearance before a Senate Labor and Public Welfare subcommittee in Washington, April 20, 1968. Abernathy is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and successor to the assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Washington D.C., April 30, 1968
Leads Poor Campaign: Civil rights leader Rev. Ralph Abernathy wipes his face during his appearance before a Senate Labor and Public Welfare subcommittee in Washington, April 20, 1968. Abernathy is the president of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and successor to the assassinated Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, Washington D.C., April 30, 1968
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1968
Image Not Available for The Nation's Capitol, 1978: Ten Years after it was reduced to rubble in a four-day frenzy of fire-bombing and looting, triggered by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's 7th Street NW is an ash-can existence for winos. For black ghetto dwellers in Washington, the weed-filled lots and fire-scarred buildings silently mock the post-riot talk of rebuilding, April, 1978
The Nation's Capitol, 1978: Ten Years after it was reduced to rubble in a four-day frenzy of fire-bombing and looting, triggered by the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Washington's 7th Street NW is an ash-can existence for winos. For black ghetto dwellers in Washington, the weed-filled lots and fire-scarred buildings silently mock the post-riot talk of rebuilding, April, 1978
Unknown
1978
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Directs Tank Landing: Lieutenant Adlai Stevenson Jr. Liaison Officer of the First Marine Regiment (right), directs tan landing via telephone on the beachhead where the leathernecks’ simulated assault operations were held. Reinforced regiments of leathernecks including the First, splashed ashore at an East Coast fishing village of South Korea May 3, in the first phase of the Marine’s largest amphibious training exercise since the end of the Korean War. Marine at left unidentified, May 6, 1954
1954
Image Not Available for Conference In Wake of Assassination: President Johnson today met in the White House Cabinet Room with civil rights leaders and government officials. The conference was called in wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. At left is Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Washington DC, April 5, 1968
Conference In Wake of Assassination: President Johnson today met in the White House Cabinet Room with civil rights leaders and government officials. The conference was called in wake of the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther king Jr. At left is Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, Washington DC, April 5, 1968
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1968
Image Not Available for Tolerance Group in Washington: A committee representing the Chicago Council against racial and religious discrimination, visits Attorney General J. Howard McGrath at Washington, D.C., September 27, to bring to his attention the events revolving about the rioting in Cicero, Illinois last July when a colored family was prevented from moving into an apartment by a mob which was quelled by the Illinois National Guard. The attorney general advised that on the basis of investigation by the FBI, he intended to present these vents before a federal grand jury for further exploration..., September 28, 1951
Tolerance Group in Washington: A committee representing the Chicago Council against racial and religious discrimination, visits Attorney General J. Howard McGrath at Washington, D.C., September 27, to bring to his attention the events revolving about the rioting in Cicero, Illinois last July when a colored family was prevented from moving into an apartment by a mob which was quelled by the Illinois National Guard. The attorney general advised that on the basis of investigation by the FBI, he intended to present these vents before a federal grand jury for further exploration..., September 28, 1951
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1951