Harlem, June 6, 2020

I photographed this protest in Harlem during one of the most charged moments of 2020 — the Black Lives Matter demonstrations following the murder of George Floyd. The pandemic was still raging, and fear of infection was real, but it didn’t keep people away. Despite the risk, they came together to honor Floyd’s life and demand justice.

What unfolded that day felt both historic and intimate. Hundreds marched through Harlem, chanting “We’re not to be feared” as neighbors leaned out of windows to cheer them on. The sound of voices carrying through the streets cut through months of isolation and uncertainty, transforming grief into collective power.

I did not photograph leaders or politicians. My lens stayed with the crowd — the faces, the quiet gestures, the raised fists. In that moment, I saw fear and courage, exhaustion and resolve, mourning and unity. These photographs are about the people who, even in the shadow of a pandemic, chose to stand together and insist on change.