Dylan Kelley: Documentarian: Looking Back on 2012

It's been a tremendous year for a lot of people around the world. Over the course of these past 12 months I've been lucky enough to be right in the middle of struggles with Occupy, Healthcare is a Human Right, PUT PEOPLE FIRST, Occupy Our Homes, and too many others to mention here.

In recognition of this, I gathered together a look back at my work for this year. These are the photographs that have had the greatest impact on me and others: some of them are singular images, some of them are sequences and stories, others are just to imprinted upon me to not give everyone a second look.

Great thanks to everyone who's been there for me this past year. See you in 2013.

-Dylan

Occupy Congress, Washington D.C.

Disenfranchised Republicans demonstrate outside the GOP debate. Concord, NH

As part of a "direct action," one Occupier attempted to enter the closed debate hall through a back door, hoping for a few moments in front of national media to proclaim his disapproval of the American political system. Never making it past the back door, he was thwarted by security and shortly arrested by Concord Police.

Somali-Bantu students go on strike against institutional racism. Burlington, VT

Along with Bread & Puppet theater, protesters gather in Brattleboro to demand the closure of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant. Brattleboro, VT

Citizens and community organizers of the Vermont Workers' Center march on the Vermont Capitol demanding universal healthcare, a human rights budget framework, and immigration reform. Montpelier, VT

Occupiers and other anti-capitalists stream in to Chicago by the thousands to protest the NATO conference in May. Chicago, IL

Chicago, IL

An Occupier is caught in a tug of war between Chicago Police and the "Black Bloc" after cutting down a NATO banner.

Chicago, IL

As activists and community members attempt to reclaim a foreclosed home police respond by strangling and sexual assaulting individuals approaching the house. Minneapolis, MN

Minneapolis, MN

An officer of the MPD breaks down following the sexual assault of protesters by his fellow officers. Minneapolis, MN

"Chalk-ccupy" Oakland, CA

A brass band plays for the "dreamers" that occupied Obama's Oakland campaign headquarters to demand immigration reform for undocumented residents. Oakland, CA

Re-opening Lakeview Elementary, a school closed by austerity measures, the child of a community member rights "justis" on the board of his former classroom (click to enlarge). Oakland, CA

A parent and community member of Lakeview Elementary chastises two police officials for raiding the occupied Elementary school earlier that morning. Oakland, CA