Skip to main content
Label Text

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: 7 x 8 5/8 in. (17.8 x 21.9 cm)
Accession Number 2025.265
Classificationsphotograph
ProvenanceJeff Perry; Des Moines Art Center [gift from the previous, 2025]
Flames in Resurrection City: One of the plywood and plastic shacks in Resurrection City goes up in flames today while the encampment of the Poor People's Campaign was being evacuated. Two of the huts were destroyed by fires of unknown origin. Washington, DC, June 24, 1968
Image Not Available for Flames in Resurrection City: One of the plywood and plastic shacks in Resurrection City goes up in flames today while the encampment of the Poor People's Campaign was being evacuated. Two of the huts were destroyed by fires of unknown origin. Washington, DC, June 24, 1968
Image Not Available for Forcibly Evicted: Police lift one of the residents of Resurrection City to carry her from the area which was cleared after expiration of the permit to occupy the land in Washington, June 24, 1968. Police Chief John Layton said about 80 arrests, including the leaders of the Poor People's Campaign, were made during the clearing operation, Washington DC, June 25, 1968
Forcibly Evicted: Police lift one of the residents of Resurrection City to carry her from the area which was cleared after expiration of the permit to occupy the land in Washington, June 24, 1968. Police Chief John Layton said about 80 arrests, including the leaders of the Poor People's Campaign, were made during the clearing operation, Washington DC, June 25, 1968
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1968
Image Not Available for Two youths use a board and mop handles to pole through water, here, left in Resurrection City after a heavy rain 6/12. The city has been plagued with rain since its erection, Washington DC, June 13, 1968
Two youths use a board and mop handles to pole through water, here, left in Resurrection City after a heavy rain 6/12. The city has been plagued with rain since its erection, Washington DC, June 13, 1968
Unknown
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
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
Unknown
1968
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
For his fifth birthday I took my son Max and his six friends to the Ringling Brothers circus at the Oakland Coliseum. It was all I could do to keep them under control and not lose anyone in the crowd. As party favors I bought each of them batter-powered plastic swords with flame blades and dragons on the handles. It was easy to find them as the sword blades glowed in the dark. Livermore, California, from the "Leisure" series
Bill Owens
1973, printed 1999
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
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Native huts- mud brick plastered with clay, Basutoland
George Rodger
n.d.
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
The Flame Still Dances on Leo's Book, from "Leo Castelli 90th Birthday Portfolio"
James Rosenquist
1997
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Great Fair Given at the City Assembly Rooms, New York, December, 1861, in Aid of the City Poor.
Winslow Homer
December 28, 1861
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
South Korea: American wounded in battle in South Korea are evacuated by jeeps and litter from the front line. They pass a column of troops being moved up to the front. One man is going into battle well shaved as he soaps his face, July 10, 1950
1950
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Sariwon, Korea: Civilian police guard North Korea Communists captured in the city. The prisoners have their hands tied behind their backs and huddle together for warmth. Just what will become of the prisoners in the event of further withdrawals is not unknown, December 12, 1950
1950
Photo Credit: Rich Sanders, Des Moines
Tours "Battle Front": General Ralph E. Haines Jr. the Army's Vice chief of staff and commander of troops in Washington, views military installations yesterday from a bus tour with the capital city's Mayor Walter Washington to quell violence following the death of Dr. Martin Luthe rKing Jr. Troops are still in the city although there hasn't been serious trouble since Saturday night, April 12, 1968
Unknown Associated Press photographer
1968