Rochester, NY 10:54 PM. There is a moment of silence between the police militarized attack on peaceful protestors. The marchers have been beaten back by flash bang grenades, tear gas, sonic weapons, pepper ball bullets. Many were injured and medics are helping them. The marchers are regrouping and planning on moving forward to attempt to continue the march and exert our right to peacefully assemble. They have guns and weapons, and we have masks, cardboard shields, and umbrellas. Later after pushing back this march they will corner marchers in a church where they sought haven and shoot bullets at the church.

In that short time, between all of that light, and noise and chaos I come across this woman in the street praying. Even amidst chaos there can be calm. There are times when there is simply beauty and grace amidst the chaos.

© photo and words by Daniel DeMarle 9/5/2020