Photograph by
Freed, Leonard, American, 1929 - 2006
Subject of
Unidentified Man or Men
United States Army, American, founded 1775
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, founded 1949
Printed by
Freed, Brigitte, American
Inirio, Pablo
Subject of
20th Anniversary March on Washington, founded 1983
Date
August 27, 1983; printed 2013
Medium
silver and photographic gelatin on photographic paper
Dimensions
H x W (Image): 13 1/8 × 8 7/8 in. (33.3 × 22.5 cm)
H x W (Sheet): 14 × 11 in. (35.5 × 27.9 cm)
Description
A silver gelatin print depicting a black-and-white image of a man in a wheelchair in front of a nuclear protest sign during the twentieth anniversary of the March on Washington, August 27, 1983. The man is depicted in the central foreground, seated in a wheelchair decorated with American flags and text that reads [[P]OW-MI[A]]. He is wearing military camouflage uniform and cap and sunglasses. The large sign behind him reads [DISGRACE TO DECENCY, CIVILIZATION, / REASON, AND LOGIC.] at the top. Below are two graphics of a nuclear mushroom cloud with the word [NO] painted inside each cloud. The text below the cloud on the left side of the image reads [DECENT CIVILIZED PEOPLE / DO NOT NUKE FELLOW / HUMANS.]. The text below the cloud on the right side reads [THE WORLD MUST / RENOUNCE THIS MADESS. / IT STARTS WITH YOU.]. Between the clouds is a centrally depicted graphic of a large skull, four (4) small skulls and an nuclear symbol with a banner above and below that reads [AS AN ACT OF SANITY / BAN / NUCLEAR WEAPONS / OR [HAVE A NICE / DOOMSDAY?]]. The bottom third of the sign reads [NATO AND WARSAW PACT [COUNTRIES?] STAND ASTRIDE / THE SAME [UNCONTROLLABLE WEAPONS?] PILE / THE [WORLD TREMBLES AT ITS FATE?].
On the verso of the image are handwritten inscriptions that provide the image date, event information, location, image number, the name of the printer, and the signature of the donor. There are also two (2) stamp marks in black ink in the bottom right corner of the verso.
Place captured
Washington, District of Columbia, United States, North and Central America
Place printed
New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Portfolio/Series
USA. Second March on Washington.
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Type
gelatin silver prints
Topic
Activism
Local and regional
Military
Photography
Political organizations
U.S. History, 1969-2001
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Brigitte Freed in memory of Leonard Freed
Object number
2016.123.2.7
Restrictions & Rights
© Leonard Freed & Magnum Photos, Inc
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5e0fc9758-a221-4f0f-b0aa-332ce037182a

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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