On the Fringes of the Democratic National Convention

2 minute read
Protesters convened at Franklin Roosevelt Park outside the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. At a tent pitched in the park, they were addressed by speakers including Green Party Candidate Jill Stein. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
Protesters convened at Franklin Roosevelt Park outside the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
By Olivier Laurent and Paul Moakley

The man is flooded in blue light; his eyes intensely looking up at a giant screen in the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia as President Barack Obama is about to take the stage on the third night of the Democratic National Convention. “I was wondering what was going on in his head,” says photographer Natalie Keyssar. Was it approval? Was it disapproval? “I can’t tell what he was thinking.”

Keyssar was captivated by the man’s intense gaze. “Something really hit me,” she says. For the past four days, the 32-year-old photographer has found herself attracted by the fringes of the historic moment, when one of America’s major parties selects, for the first time, a woman to run for the country’s highest office. “Photographically, I think I’m more interested by wherever anyone isn’t looking,” she says. “I want to see what it means. You can’t see what something means by looking directly at it.”

Keyssar’s photographs portray the people who rebelled against their own party, taking to Philadelphia’s streets to advocate for their own political beliefs, often at odds with the Democrats’ official platform. “Society has a tendency of focussing on the celebrities and those who have power,” says Keyssar, “when the whole point of this convention is that the power is supposed to come from the people.”

 

 

Natalie Keyssar is a freelance photojournalist based in New York. Last year she photographed our cover story on What It’s Like To Be a Cop In America Today.

Protesters convened at Franklin Roosevelt Park outside the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. At a tent pitched in the park, they were addressed by speakers including Green Party Candidate Jill Stein. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
Protesters convened at Franklin Roosevelt Park outside the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters convene at City Hall in Philadelphia to watch speaker Jill Stein and protest the Democratic National Convention in Pennsylvania on July 26, 2016.
Protesters convene at City Hall in Philadelphia to watch speaker Jill Stein and protest the Democratic National Convention in Pennsylvania on July 26, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME
People watched and took photos as protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Various groups joined the march, calling for Bernie Sanders or Jill Stein to be the candidate, protesting fracking, criticizing the electoral process and accusing Hillary Clinton of corruption among many other issues they raised. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
People watch and take photos as protestors march from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Democratic National Convention protesters assemble at Philadelphia City Hall in Pennsylvania on July 27, 2016.
Democratic National Convention protesters assemble at Philadelphia City Hall in Pennsylvania on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters convene at Franklin Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.
Protesters convene at Franklin Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.
Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Kim Hughes, 19, of Hatboro PA poses for a portrait outside city hall. "The illusion of democracy harms a lot of people. People think they have rights they think they have a say. But we have police brutality, we have people dying every month. Im in support of Jill Stein. She's eco socialist." (Phone number 2674018216)Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Various groups joined the march, calling for Bernie Sanders or Jill Stein to be the candidate, protesting fracking, criticizing the electoral process and accusing Hillary Clinton of corruption among many other issues they raised. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
Kim Hughes, 19, of Hatboro, Pennsylvania, poses for a portrait outside city hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday, July 25, 2016. "The illusion of democracy harms a lot of people. People think they have rights they think they have a say. But we have police brutality, we have people dying every month. I'm in support of Jill Stein. She's eco socialist." Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters convened at Franklin Roosevelt Park outside the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. At a tent pitched in the park, they were addressed by speakers including Green Party Candidate Jill Stein. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
Protesters convene at Franklin Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Democratic National Convention protesters assemble at Philadelphia City Hall in Pennsylvania on July 27, 2016.
Democratic National Convention protesters assemble at Philadelphia City Hall in Pennsylvania on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Security backstage on the fourth day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania July 28, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
President Barack Obama addressed the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia.(Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
President Barack Obama addresses the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Tuesday night speakers and performers included Bill Clinton, Alicia Keyes, and Meryl Streetp at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 26, 2016 in Philadelphia.(Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
Bill Clinton speaks at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters march from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.
Protesters march from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Various groups joined the march, calling for Bernie Sanders or Jill Stein to be the candidate, protesting fracking, criticizing the electoral process and accusing Hillary Clinton of corruption among many other issues they raised. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Latisha Richards, left, watched the protests with a client and colleague. When asked what she thought of the protest she said "Exciting. Because..." Then she read onf of the protesters signs, smiling "Because we need to end the racist drug war." Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.
Latisha Richards, left, watched the protests with a client and colleague. When asked what she thought of the protest she said "Exciting. Because..." Then she read onf of the protesters signs, smiling "Because we need to end the racist drug war." Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Press, Delegates and ticketed attendees converged at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia.
Press, Delegates and attendees converged at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protester Eric Verlo poses with a fellow protester who declined to give her name. The pair were dressed as an oil tycoon and the victims of collateral damage in the wars in the Middle East. "It's important to counter the mainstream message that elections matter or represent the will of the people. Both are corporate parties held up by corporate media and corporate interests. Hillary is the candidate of the war machine." Said Verlo.Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, PA. Various groups joined the march, calling for Bernie Sanders or Jill Stein to be the candidate, protesting fracking, criticizing the electoral process and accusing Hillary Clinton of corruption among many other issues they raised. (Natalie Keyssar for TIME)
Protester Eric Verlo poses with a fellow protester who declined to give her name. The pair are dressed as an oil tycoon and the victims of collateral damage in the wars in the Middle East. "It's important to counter the mainstream message that elections matter or represent the will of the people. Both are corporate parties held up by corporate media and corporate interests. Hillary is the candidate of the war machine." said Verlo. Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters convene at Franklin Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.
Protesters convene at Franklin Roosevelt Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Outside the main arena at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2016.
Outside the main arena at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 26, 2016. Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Speakers, among them, Michelle Obama, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, addressed the crowd the first night of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday, July 25, 2016.
Donald Trump appears on a jumbo screen on first night of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on Monday, July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.
Protesters marched from City Hall to the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 25, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Democratic National Convention protesters assemble at Philadelphia City Hall in Pennsylvania on July 27, 2016.
Democratic National Convention protesters assemble at Philadelphia City Hall in Pennsylvania on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Press, Delegates and ticketed attendees converged at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia.
Press, Delegates and ticketed attendees converged at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center on July 27, 2016 in Philadelphia.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.
Press, delegates and ticketed attendees converge at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on July 27, 2016.Natalie Keyssar for TIME

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