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Democracy

Brian Palmer (b. 1964, Queens, NY) is a photographer and award-winning journalist based in Richmond, Virginia. He strives to tell stories that might not otherwise be told—stories of conflict, activism, and daily life. His multimedia approach unites narratives and images, bridging the two to unite comprehensive storytelling and thorough investigation.

16 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county. Democracy by Brian Palmer Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county. Democracy by Brian Palmer Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county; Cleo Smith, 74 years old, Vietnam vet (served two years in the infantry during 1965-68).

President Donald Trump and Democratic candidate Joe Biden hold separate town halls after debate scrapped

Democratic Vice Presidential candidate Kamala Harris suspends travel after campaign coronavirus exposure

U.S. jobless claims hit 898,000 last week, most since late August

New U.S. coronavirus infections top 60,000 for the first time in two months

Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says he was ‘wrong’ not to wear mask at White House

17 October 2020

Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Headstone for Reverend Hiram Wilson, abolitionist.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Headstone for Reverend Hiram Wilson, abolitionist.

Headstones for United States Civil War veterans, including United States Colored Troops (USCT), United States Colored Infantry (USCI), United States Colored Heavy Artillery (USCHA), as well as Ohioans and others.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Evening—headstones for United States Civil War veterans, including United States Colored Troops (USCT), United States Colored Infantry (USCI), United States Colored Heavy Artillery (USCHA), as well as Ohioans and others.

U.S. passes 8 million COVID-19 cases

U.S. Supreme Court to consider whether President Trump can exclude undocumented immigrants from census count

Pfizer could seek COVID-19 vaccine emergency authorization in mid-November

President Trump reverses course, approving wildfire relief for California

Town hall ratings show Democratic candidate Joe Biden had more viewers than President Trump

Republican Utah Senator Mitt Romney criticizes President Trump for not denouncing QAnon conspiracy theory

Federal deficit reaches record $3.1 trillion

20 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county. Democracy by Brian Palmer Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county.

President Trump attacks Dr. Anthony Fauci as ‘disaster’

U.S. Supreme Court lets Pennsylvania extend mail-in voting

Microphones to be muted to avoid some interruptions at presidential debate

CDC recommends all plane, train passengers wear masks

22 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Cast in CLE shuttle bus to polls partly sponsored by Famicos.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Cast in CLE shuttle bus to polls partly sponsored by Famicos. Democracy by Brian Palmer Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH.

Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, Cleveland, OH—Final 2020 presidential debate between candidate Joe Biden, former vice president, and President Donald J. Trump.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, Cleveland, OH—Final 2020 presidential debate between candidate Joe Biden, former vice president, and President Donald J. Trump.

Former President Barack Obama rebukes President Trump in first speech for the Biden campaign

Democrats to boycott committee’s confirmation vote on Supreme Court nominee Amy Coney Barrett

U.S. officials warn Iran and Russia attempting election interference

New U.S. coronavirus cases exceed 60,000 for second straight day

23 October 2020

Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections. Democracy by Brian Palmer Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, including violin performance by Ariel Clayton Karis.

Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections; Shooting Without Bullets wheat pastes posters of the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones, former U.S. Representative (11th Congressional District)—“also the first black woman to become a judge of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, as well as the county’s first black prosecutor”—on the outside walls of the ACLU Ohio.

shooting-without-bullets Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections; Shooting Without Bullets wheat pastes posters of the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones, former U.S. Representative (11th Congressional District)—“also the first black woman to become a judge of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, as well as the county’s first black prosecutor”—on the outside walls of the ACLU Ohio. Democracy by Brian Palmer Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

President Trump, Joe Biden differ sharply on coronavirus, climate change in final debate

Republicans on Senate panel advance Amy Coney Barrett nomination

Biden promises commission to study courts

President Trump posts footage of 60 Minutes interview he abruptly ended

Weekly new U.S. jobless claims fall below 800,000

U.S. officials warn that Russian hackers targeted state and local governments

FDA approves remdesivir for COVID-19 treatment

Second U.S. federal court rules against President Trump's push to change reapportionment count

24 October 2020

Antioch Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Antioch Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH.

U.S. sets new single-day coronavirus case record

President Trump, Joe Biden to campaign in key battleground states

U.S. coronavirus death toll could pass 500,000 by March, study suggests

Final 2020 U.S. Presidential debate draws 63 million viewers, down from the first debate

AstraZeneca, Johnson & Johnson preparing to restart paused vaccine trials

Early data suggests schools aren’t driving coronavirus outbreaks

6 January 2021

Cudell Commons Park, Cleveland, OH—Site where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by Cleveland Police Officer Timothy Loehmann November 2014. The gazebo near which he was killed was removed and relocated to Chicago. In January 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would not charge Loehmann or his partner Frank Garmback.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Cudell Commons Park, Cleveland, OH—Site where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by Cleveland Police Officer Timothy Loehmann November 2014. The gazebo near which he was killed was removed and relocated to Chicago. In January 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would not charge Loehmann or his partner Frank Garmback.

U.S. Congress convenes to certify President Elect Joe Biden's Electoral College victory

Wisconsin prosecutor says no charges against officers over Jacob Blake shooting

U.S. judge rejects President Trump's effort to decertify Georgia election result

Pro-Trump mob attacks U.S. Capitol

U.S. Congress, Vice President Mike Pence certify Joe Biden’s electoral victory

U.S. coronavirus deaths hit single-day record near 4,000

Twitter, Facebook lock President Trump's accounts

2 more Louisville detectives fired over Breonna Taylor killing

9 January 2021

East Cleveland, OH—Memorial for Vincent Belmonte, 19, killed on Tuesday, January 5 allegedly by a member of the East Cleveland Police Department as Belmonte was driving his girlfriend to work in a borrowed car.

Democracy by Brian Palmer East Cleveland, OH—Memorial for Vincent Belmonte, 19, killed on Tuesday, January 5 allegedly by a member of the East Cleveland Police Department as Belmonte was driving his girlfriend to work in a borrowed car. Democracy by Brian Palmer East Cleveland, OH—Memorial for Vincent Belmonte, 19, killed on Tuesday, January 5 allegedly by a member of the East Cleveland Police Department as Belmonte was driving his girlfriend to work in a borrowed car.

Cleveland, OH—Soldiers and Sailors Monument, four statues depicting Civil War-era martial scenes—“four bronze groupings on the esplanade depict, in battle scenes, the Navy, Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry”— around a central column topped with a figure representing the “Goddess of Freedom.” “Mortar Practice” shows five U.S. Navy artillerymen and an officer, including a shirtless Black man, loading their weapon.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Cleveland, OH—Soldiers and Sailors Monument, four statues depicting Civil War-era martial scenes—“four bronze groupings on the esplanade depict, in battle scenes, the Navy, Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry”— around a central column topped with a figure representing the “Goddess of Freedom.” “Mortar Practice” shows five U.S. Navy artillerymen and an officer, including a shirtless Black man, loading their weapon.

Democrats move toward impeachment of President Trump for inciting January 6 insurrection

Twitter permanently suspends President Trump’s account

President Trump confirms he won’t attend Joe Biden’s inauguration

Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski calls for President Trump to resign

President Elect Joe Biden plans to release most COVID-19 vaccine doses

New charges brought in pro-Trump riot

U.S. economy lost 140,000 jobs in December, the 1st loss since April

11 January 2021

Cleveland, OH—Statue of former Cuyahoga County Prosecutor (1957–91) John T. Corrigan, in Fort Huntington Park, across from the Cuyahoga County Justice Center and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Cleveland, OH—Statue of former Cuyahoga County Prosecutor (1957–91) John T. Corrigan, in Fort Huntington Park, across from the Cuyahoga County Justice Center and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Twelve Literary Arts, Cleveland, OH—Daniel Gray-Kontar, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Twelve, meets with staffer Stephanie Ginese and artist Terrell. The young people suggested services and institutions that could be built on empty or abandoned plots of land.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Twelve Literary Arts, Cleveland, OH—Daniel Gray-Kontar, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Twelve, meets with staffer Stephanie Ginese and artist Terrell. The young people suggested services and institutions that could be built on empty or abandoned plots of land. Democracy by Brian Palmer Twelve Literary Arts, Cleveland, OH—Daniel Gray-Kontar, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Twelve, meets with staffer Stephanie Ginese and artist Terrell. The young people suggested services and institutions that could be built on empty or abandoned plots of land.

Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House, says House will impeach President Trump unless Vice President Pence acts to invoke 25th Amendment

U.S. lawmakers possibly exposed to coronavirus during riot lockdown

Rioters who had zip-ties arrested as roundup continues

Parler knocked offline after Amazon suspends service

FBI warned of threat ahead of mob’s U.S. Capitol siege

U.S. Capitol Police officer dies in apparent suicide

PGA board moves 2022 golf championship from Trump course

Marriott, Blue Cross halt donations to lawmakers opposing electoral results

12 January 2021

University Settlement, Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio—Food pantry in Slavic Village neighborhood.

Democracy by Brian Palmer University Settlement, Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH—Food pantry in Slavic Village neighborhood. Democracy by Brian Palmer University Settlement, Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH—Food pantry in Slavic Village neighborhood.

House Democrats introduce impeachment article

U.S. coronavirus deaths surpass 375,000 after record surge

Homeland Security secretary resigns over ‘recent events’

Two Democrats test positive for coronavirus after riot lockdown

Parler sues Amazon over server ban

FBI warns of possible armed protests at state capitols

U.S. sanctions Ukrainians over election meddling

Two Capitol Police officers suspended over actions in riot

President Trump, Vice President Pence meet for 1st time since deadly riot

9 April 2021

Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland, OH.

Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Grave of Chief Joc-O-Sot/Walking Bear (Fox/Mesquakie or Meskwaki), 1810-1844. Fought in the Black Hawk War with the Sauk. Came to Cleveland after the war. Stone for Oghema Niagara of the band Pishqua, tribe Osauckee of the Algonquin nation, dubbed Chief Thunderwater by whites. Created the Supreme Council of Indian Nations.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Grave of Chief Joc-O-Sot/Walking Bear (Fox/Mesquakie or Meskwaki), 1810-1844. Fought in the Black Hawk War with the Sauk. Came to Cleveland after the war. Stone for Oghema Niagara of the band Pishqua, tribe Osauckee of the Algonquin nation, dubbed Chief Thunderwater by whites. Created the Supreme Council of Indian Nations.

Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH—Crowds arrive for game with the Detroit Tigers.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH—Crowds arrive for game with the Detroit Tigers.

President Biden announces actions to address gun violence ‘epidemic’

Doctor: George Floyd died from ‘low level of oxygen’

Nearly 20 percent fully vaccinated in U.S.

Florida sues CDC to reopen cruise industry

10 April 2021

Islamic Center of Cleveland, Parma, OH—Event for children, New Dawn Ramadan, sponsored by the Misada Family Literacy Organization.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Islamic Center of Cleveland, Parma, OH—Event for children, New Dawn Ramadan, sponsored by the Misada Family Literacy Organization.

Medical examiner: George Floyd’s primary cause of death was neck compression

Amazon defeats union drive at Alabama warehouse

Pfizer asks FDA to authorize vaccine for adolescents 12 to 15

President Biden orders commission to study Supreme Court expansion, term limits

11 April 2021

Arcade, Cleveland, OH—Back of Cleveland baseball jersey bearing name of Satchel Paige worn by Donald Shingler, a Cleveland dentist.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Arcade, Cleveland, OH—Back of Cleveland baseball jersey bearing name of Satchel Paige worn by Donald Shingler, a Cleveland dentist.

Former President Donald Trump delivers insult-laden speech at Mar-a-Lago RNC gathering

U.S. Supreme Court strikes down California pandemic religious restriction

U.S. Army officer sues Virginia police officers for violating his rights during traffic stop

14 April 2021

Islamic Center of Cleveland, Parma, OH—Evening prayer in men’s section during Ramadan.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Islamic Center of Cleveland, Parma, OH—Evening prayer in men’s section during Ramadan. Democracy by Brian Palmer Famicos Foundation, Ansel Road, Cleveland, OH—Erica Burnett bags hygiene supplies for residents of Cornerstone Senior Apartments at the offices of the community development corporation. Democracy by Brian Palmer Famicos Foundation, Ansel Road, Cleveland, OH—Erica Burnett bags hygiene supplies for residents of Cornerstone Senior Apartments at the offices of the community development corporation.

President Biden to announce withdrawal of all U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11

Officer who shot Daunte Wright resigns as protests continue

White House says Johnson & Johnson pause won’t hamper vaccine campaign

President Biden proposes summit with Vladimir Putin as Ukraine tensions rise

Derek Chauvin’s lawyers start their defense

Watchdog report: Capitol Police held back on Jan. 6 despite warning

15 April 2021

Lucas Memorial Chapel, Garfield Heights, OH—Operations at the African American-owned funeral home.

Democracy by Brian Palmer Lucas Memorial Chapel, Garfield Heights, OH—Operations at the African American-owned funeral home.

Officer who fatally shot Daunte Wright charged with manslaughter

Defense expert says Derek Chauvin’s actions didn’t kill George Floyd

CDC panel wants more data before decision on Johnson & Johnson vaccine

DOJ: No charges against officer who fatally shot woman in U.S. Capitol riot

Corporate leaders sign statement against proliferation of Republican-sponsored laws making voting harder

U.S. House panel advances bill on creating a commission to study reparations

U.S. to expand sanctions on Russia over corporate hacking and other actions

Bernie Madoff, infamous Ponzi scheme mastermind, dies in prison

16 April 2021

East Cleveland Public Schools, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer East Cleveland Public Schools, Cleveland, OH. Democracy by Brian Palmer East Cleveland Public Schools, Cleveland, OH. Democracy by Brian Palmer East Cleveland Public Schools, Cleveland, OH.

Derek Chauvin declines to testify as defense rests in George Floyd case

U.S. sanctions Russia over hacking, election meddling

At least 8 dead in Indianapolis FedEx shooting

Chicago releases body-cam video of police shooting of boy

U.S. intelligence report: Paul Manafort associate shared Trump polling data with Russian intelligence

Nancy Pelosi: “No plans” to take up proposal to expand U.S. Supreme Court

Democracy by Brian Palmer
16 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
16 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
16 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county; Cleo Smith, 74 years old, Vietnam vet (served two years in the infantry during 1965-68).

Democracy by Brian Palmer
17 October 2020

Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Headstone for Reverend Hiram Wilson, abolitionist.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
17 October 2020

Woodland Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Evening—headstones for United States Civil War veterans, including United States Colored Troops (USCT), United States Colored Infantry (USCI), United States Colored Heavy Artillery (USCHA), as well as Ohioans and others.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
20 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
20 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Early voting and ballot drop-off at the one early voting site in the county.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
22 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH—Cast in CLE shuttle bus to polls partly sponsored by Famicos.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
22 October 2020

Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
22 October 2020

Hyatt Regency at the Arcade, Cleveland, OH—Final 2020 presidential debate between candidate Joe Biden, former vice president, and President Donald J. Trump.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
23 October 2020

Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
23 October 2020

Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections, including violin performance by Ariel Clayton Karis.

shooting-without-bullets
23 October 2020

Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections; Shooting Without Bullets wheat pastes posters of the late Stephanie Tubbs Jones, former U.S. Representative (11th Congressional District)—“also the first black woman to become a judge of Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court, as well as the county’s first black prosecutor”—on the outside walls of the ACLU Ohio.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
23 October 2020

Cleveland, OH—Early voting at the Cuyahoga County Board of Elections.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
24 October 2020

Antioch Baptist Church, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
6 January 2021

Cudell Commons Park, Cleveland, OH—Site where 12-year-old Tamir Rice was killed by Cleveland Police Officer Timothy Loehmann November 2014. The gazebo near which he was killed was removed and relocated to Chicago. In January 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice announced it would not charge Loehmann or his partner Frank Garmback.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
9 January 2021

East Cleveland, OH—Memorial for Vincent Belmonte, 19, killed on Tuesday, January 5 allegedly by a member of the East Cleveland Police Department as Belmonte was driving his girlfriend to work in a borrowed car.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
9 January 2021

East Cleveland, OH—Memorial for Vincent Belmonte, 19, killed on Tuesday, January 5 allegedly by a member of the East Cleveland Police Department as Belmonte was driving his girlfriend to work in a borrowed car.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
9 January 2021

Cleveland, OH—Soldiers and Sailors Monument, four statues depicting Civil War-era martial scenes—“four bronze groupings on the esplanade depict, in battle scenes, the Navy, Artillery, Infantry and Cavalry”— around a central column topped with a figure representing the “Goddess of Freedom.” “Mortar Practice” shows five U.S. Navy artillerymen and an officer, including a shirtless Black man, loading their weapon.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
11 January 2021

Cleveland, OH—Statue of former Cuyahoga County Prosecutor (1957–91) John T. Corrigan, in Fort Huntington Park, across from the Cuyahoga County Justice Center and Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
11 January 2021

Twelve Literary Arts, Cleveland, OH—Daniel Gray-Kontar, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Twelve, meets with staffer Stephanie Ginese and artist Terrell. The young people suggested services and institutions that could be built on empty or abandoned plots of land.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
11 January 2021

Twelve Literary Arts, Cleveland, OH—Daniel Gray-Kontar, Founder and Executive Artistic Director of Twelve, meets with staffer Stephanie Ginese and artist Terrell. The young people suggested services and institutions that could be built on empty or abandoned plots of land.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
12 January 2021

University Settlement, Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH—Food pantry in Slavic Village neighborhood.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
12 January 2021

University Settlement, Broadway Avenue, Cleveland, OH—Food pantry in Slavic Village neighborhood.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
9 April 2021

Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
9 April 2021

Erie Street Cemetery, Cleveland, OH—Grave of Chief Joc-O-Sot/Walking Bear (Fox/Mesquakie or Meskwaki), 1810-1844. Fought in the Black Hawk War with the Sauk. Came to Cleveland after the war. Stone for Oghema Niagara of the band Pishqua, tribe Osauckee of the Algonquin nation, dubbed Chief Thunderwater by whites. Created the Supreme Council of Indian Nations.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
9 April 2021

Progressive Field, Cleveland, OH—Crowds arrive for game with the Detroit Tigers.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
11 April 2021

Arcade, Cleveland, OH—Back of Cleveland baseball jersey bearing name of Satchel Paige worn by Donald Shingler, a Cleveland dentist.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
10 April 2021

Islamic Center of Cleveland, Parma, OH—Event for children, New Dawn Ramadan, sponsored by the Misada Family Literacy Organization.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
14 April 2021

Islamic Center of Cleveland, Parma, OH—Evening prayer in men’s section during Ramadan.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
14 April 2021

Famicos Foundation, Ansel Road, Cleveland, OH—Erica Burnett bags hygiene supplies for residents of Cornerstone Senior Apartments at the offices of the community development corporation.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
14 April 2021

Famicos Foundation, Ansel Road, Cleveland, OH—Erica Burnett bags hygiene supplies for residents of Cornerstone Senior Apartments at the offices of the community development corporation.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
15 April 2021

Lucas Memorial Chapel, Garfield Heights, OH—Operations at the African American-owned funeral home.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
16 April 2021

East Cleveland Public Schools, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
16 April 2021

East Cleveland Public Schools, Cleveland, OH.

Democracy by Brian Palmer
16 April 2021

East Cleveland Public Schools, Cleveland, OH.