Photojournalism Hub in conversation with Ed Ram and Wangui Kimari

Photojournalism Hub Cinzia D’Ambrosi and Miriam Sheikh is honoured for the opportunity to interview Ed Ram and Wangui Kimari on their collaboration that has led to As We Lose our Fear, a photography exhibition presented at the Mathare Social Justice Centre in Kenya. The exhibition exposes police violence and extrajudicial killings in Kenya by presenting a series of photographs of victims holding a paper with the name of their loved ones killed by the police.

During the interview, we discuss the social background that has led to the collaborative project, police killings in Kenya and the grassroot movement and activism that Mathare Social Justice Centre has helped to form, and create empowering and important positive actions and changes.

From above Miriam Sheikh, Cinzia D’Ambrosi, Ed Ram and Wangui Kimari.

To learn more and/or to contact Ed and Wangui :

Ed Ram, journalist and documentary photographer, www.edram.org, @edr4m

Wangui Kimari, participatory action research coordinator, Mathare Social Justice Centre

More on the Exhibition:
As we lose our Fear
As We Lose Our Fear: Photography exhibition on police brutality

Photo above: copyright Ed Ram

Gueules Gazées

By Roberto di Mola 

Gueules Gazées is an ongoing documentary series showing the effects of tear gas among
protestors. Grins, runny noses and burning eyes are just the visible effects. According to a study published by the French association of toxicology-chemistry the aftermaths of exposure could be serious and permanent damages might be caused to the nervous system, to the breathing apparatus
and to the sight. Moreover it certifies the presence of small amounts of cyanide potentially
toxic in case of long exposures.

Gueules Gazées tries not only to underline direct consequences of potentially lethal
weapons used against civilians, but it also aims to show people’s strategies to relieve pain
and provide first aid to those affected by the gas. Heavily armed police, LBD, tear gas: are there any other more peaceful means to provide security and safeness in public order policing?

Instagram: #mirai.mir

Paris, June 2020. Milk is often used to alleviate burns that reach the eyes. Here, after
the passage of the demonstrators, milk flows on the street.
Paris, June 2020. A protester makes a grimace of pain.
Paris, June 2020. A protester sprays his face with milk.
Paris, June 2020. A demonstrator receives assistance.
Paris, July 2020. A typical riot police squad: one of them is holding a LBD gun. The
majority of serious injuries are caused by the reckless use of this weapon.
Paris, June 2020. A Parisian café after being attacked with tear gas.
Paris, June 2020. A man trying to get out from the café after the attack.
Paris, June 2020. More and more protesters, aware of the effects, equip themselves with the necessary to provide first aid.

Paris, June 2020.In this case an umbrella is used to better protect themselves from
“toxic winds”.

Paris, July 2020. Another technique is used to curl up against the wind.

Photographs by Roberto di Mola
Instagram: #mirai.mir

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