If photographing protests has taught me anything, it is to never underestimate the power of the First Amendment right to speech and assemble. This photo was taken less than 24 hours after members of the Iowa Legislature proposed a bill to amend the state Constitution to ban same-sex marriage, at a protest in downtown Iowa City organized by students of local schools and the University of Iowa. Despite the extremely short notice, the protest was packed with people, and it seemed as if all of downtown came to a halt to join in. 

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Caption: "City High students marched from their school to the Pentacrest, arriving at approximately 2:00 p.m."

f/8, 1/320s, ISO 100

Published March 2, 2023 on wsspaper.com.