Occupy Oakland:A Month in the Heart of a Movement
The Occupy Oakland protests were a defining moment in Bay Area history. For over a month, I immersed myself in the encampments at Oscar Grant Plaza, documenting both large-scale marches - like the Port of Oakland shutdown - and the intimate, human stories unfolding within the movement.
Drawing on my photojournalism experience, including work for The New York Times, I stayed overnight at the Occupy camp to capture the raw reality of life in a makeshift community — its challenges, camaraderie, and resilience. From the so-called “Mayor of Occupy Oakland” navigating camp politics to smaller community-driven events like First Fridays, every image reflects the urgency, tension, and hope that defined this historic grassroots uprising.
