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Lost boy at Lebanon protest, in front of US Consulate #1
Photo © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto July 22, 2006 STOP THE WAR Protest rally for Lebanon: July 22, 2006 March from Israeli Consulate to US Consulate, Toronto.
Lost boy at Lebanon protest, in front of US Consulate #1
This was perplexing. I saw this boy standing alone- it seemed to me he might have lost his family. The guards at the US consulate were completely ignoring him. I asked the police what he was doing there- they said they didn't know. I suggested he might be lost- they were indifferent. I asked if they'd even talked to him- NO. And were obviously not going to. It's funny- I thought this situation to among their duties as police. I was always told as a child, "If you're ever lost or in trouble, find a policeman. "I expect he was told the same.
I photographed the boy from beyond the "no go" area where he was standing. One of the cops said to me something like, "You sure pick your battles" (whatever that implies), then criticised the protest group for including their children, this in spite of the fact that it was a very orderly and peaceful march.
I asked if I could get a close-up of the boy, ostensibly to render the "Lebanon" inscribed on his cap visible in my photo, but to also ask him if he was OK. He appeared to be, and seeing this is Toronto and I am a complete stranger, I thought it best to leave him in their "safe company".
I believe that the inclusion of so many children was a poignant and affecting reminder that OVER ONE THIRD of the civilian deaths in the recent bombing of Lebanon by Israel ARE CHILDREN. Boys and girls like these ones. Innocent victims, suffering pointless and unnecessary deaths. Thousands more lie maimed and suffering - the luckier ones in hospitals, while the rest remain unable to reach help. This is a humanitarian crisis of utmost urgency. These children who march want to be seen- to remind us of those whose plight we are overlooking.
Lost boy at Lebanon protest, in front of US Consulate #1
Photo © Linda Dawn Hammond / IndyFoto July 22, 2006 STOP THE WAR Protest rally for Lebanon: July 22, 2006 March from Israeli Consulate to US Consulate, Toronto.
Lost boy at Lebanon protest, in front of US Consulate #1
This was perplexing. I saw this boy standing alone- it seemed to me he might have lost his family. The guards at the US consulate were completely ignoring him. I asked the police what he was doing there- they said they didn't know. I suggested he might be lost- they were indifferent. I asked if they'd even talked to him- NO. And were obviously not going to. It's funny- I thought this situation to among their duties as police. I was always told as a child, "If you're ever lost or in trouble, find a policeman. "I expect he was told the same.
I photographed the boy from beyond the "no go" area where he was standing. One of the cops said to me something like, "You sure pick your battles" (whatever that implies), then criticised the protest group for including their children, this in spite of the fact that it was a very orderly and peaceful march.
I asked if I could get a close-up of the boy, ostensibly to render the "Lebanon" inscribed on his cap visible in my photo, but to also ask him if he was OK. He appeared to be, and seeing this is Toronto and I am a complete stranger, I thought it best to leave him in their "safe company".
I believe that the inclusion of so many children was a poignant and affecting reminder that OVER ONE THIRD of the civilian deaths in the recent bombing of Lebanon by Israel ARE CHILDREN. Boys and girls like these ones. Innocent victims, suffering pointless and unnecessary deaths. Thousands more lie maimed and suffering - the luckier ones in hospitals, while the rest remain unable to reach help. This is a humanitarian crisis of utmost urgency. These children who march want to be seen- to remind us of those whose plight we are overlooking.