Category: Digital Archives

Franklin Square has been used by protestors and rioters for decades as a place to organize and convey their beliefs and complaints. As recently as the President Trump’s inauguration day, protestors marched around the city in objection to Trump. They eventually made there way to Franklin Square where they stayed for hours into the night attempting to make their voices heard by creating a commotion. This was done by blocking off traffic in the streets, picking fights with Trump supporters, as well as events like the photograph above which depicts a limousine ablaze in front of the Washington Post that was set on fire by disgruntled protestors.

 

Even Though Franklin Square and the areas surrounding it have been in a state of gentrification for decades, there are still many instances of where one can see that the poorer and homeless population still play a very active role in the community. Photographed here is a makeshift tent made from trash and blankets where one of Franklin Square’s homeless calls home. It is apparent that the homeless population makes up a portion of Franklin Square and contributes to the culture.

View of the Washington Post building from Franklin Square. There are some sharp contrasts in many of the photos. From the the homeless sleeping on the park benches, the protests on inauguration day, and the more appealing photo here. The point I am trying to make is that with anything one is photographing there are an infinite ways to capture something to fit a specific narrative.

Night of the inauguration as a riot policeman stands alone and watches the crowd in Franklin Square. In the background is the Washington Post building. Police had to escort people from the building and away from the square for their own protection.

A different look at Franklin Square. Here this photo captures that the square is not only home to the birds and squirrels, but also some of D.C.’s homeless have made use of the park to try and say safe.

Sign on the outskirts of the park that indicates that it is Franklin Square. The square is relatively small only taking the space of a 1×1 block.

Photo from Inauguration day next to Franklin Square. This picture captures some of the emotion and feeling of that day by the two crowds as well as the police. Some of the protesters had formed a line blocking traffic and police from getting through. The police lined up against them to contain the protesters to Franklin Square. Some Trump supporters can also be seen protecting the police by forming there own line directly in front of the police.