Note: I realize that I have been posting quite a bit lately but I had to post this image due to time spent at Pioneer Park with this dedicated group, and the coincidence of John Lennon coming up randomly on my playlist while editing my pics from this experience.

I have spent a late night, and a day with the Occupy SLC movement group to become educated and to document some of what has been going on at Pioneer Park, and I plan to continue.  During the time I have spent there I have experienced their dedication, their feelings and views on this issue.  I have also experienced their respect of the land that they currently reside, the city of Salt Lake and the people during their protest. 

Although I don’t support or reject their ideas and opinions I have seen, and even felt some of their anger and joy as I sit back and witness it.  Late in the night they have participated in a meditation circle to invite a spirit of peace to the city.  They have educated one another concerning this movement.  Before their march they discuss the respect of the city and people.  They eliminate profanity from protest signs.  They discuss not using vocal profanity along with flashing the bird in disrespect.  They have marched the streets and protested at the doorsteps of banks along Main Street with clean language and actions.

I have never attended a protest to document it, let alone spend time within the actual group to talk to people, but I have found this group of individuals united to hopefully have an influence for peace, and unlike many protests I have seen, to do it in a respectful manner.

These two individuals in the image were reunited at the Pioneer Park in an amazing expression of love as they embraced while swinging in a circle with smiles on their faces.  It was obviously an emotional experience for them, and it was also an amazing and emotional experience for myself to view it.  In that instant it brought me back to where I stood.  I immediately raised my camera in that “decisive moment” not to capture how they might feel (since I have no idea), but how I felt at that time.  Each time I view this image it continues to be an emotional experience that I’m sure no other will experience as I did.