Portraits from the frontlines of global protests

Portraits from the frontlines of global protests

Baghdad, Iraq
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Protests swept the globe in 2019, with millions of people taking to the streets from Catalonia to Colombia, and Haiti to Hong Kong.

Each movement had its own trigger. Some were fed with corruption and entrenched elites. Others wanted democracy or independence.

Some called for reforms and others opposed them. Worries over climate change and environmental destruction also galvanised activists worldwide.

The frustrations were sometimes similar, from inequality to powerlessness.

And often the protests turned violent, with security forces killing several hundred people in Iran, Iraq and elsewhere. Volleys of tear gas became a familiar sight in traditionally peaceful and stable Hong Kong.

. Bogota, Colombia. Reuters/Luisa Gonzalez
Teacher Andres Felipe Vargas, 52, poses for a photograph at a protest during a national strike in Bogota, Colombia.

Yet amid the gunfire and clouds of tear gas, there was a feeling of solidarity as demonstrators drew on each other's determination and strength.

"Right now we are in a stage of awakening and we have to take advantage of that," said Andres Felipe Vargas, a professor joining an anti-government strike in Bogota, Colombia.

"What is happening in our country, and these injustices that generate inequities, are the same injustices that are destroying the planet," he said.

Reuters photographers in more than a dozen countries documented the depth of feeling that linked disparate movements.

. Algiers, Algeria. Reuters/Ramzi Boudina
Amiri Yacine, 26, a student, poses for a photograph during a protest rejecting the December presidential election and against the country's ruling elite in Algiers, Algeria

"I am protesting against injustice and dictatorship," said Amiri Yacine, 26, holding a poster depicting the world's protests as a blossoming flower, packed amongst hundreds of mostly young demonstrators in Algiers.

Yacine, who has joined rolling demonstrations since February in opposition to the shadowy elite that has controlled Algeria since independence in 1962, likewise feels his demands are universal.

"We want to build a new Algeria...we want free media and a total respect of human rights. Also, we want jobs and infrastructure," Yacine said.

"My message to protesters is just be peaceful - be wise and keep calm. Fight the system with good ideas, because they don't have ideas."

. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Shannon Stapleton
Jasper, 27, poses for a photograph during a demonstration in Central, Hong Kong, China.

Summer has turned to winter in Hong Kong, where demonstrations against a controversial extradition bill turned into to a push for greater democracy.

The Beijing-backed government has refused to yield, while the protesters have gathered out in vast numbers, turning shopping districts into a sea of black-clad people.

"This is a universal demand for democracy and fairness," said Jasper, a 27-year-old bank worker, who joined a downtown protest at lunchtime. He cut a suave figure, in a sharp suit, red-and-blue striped tie and pocket square, standing on Pedder Street in the city's central district.

Like many protesters he declined to give his surname and wore a surgical mask to conceal his identity.

"Every country in the world faces the same situation. This will not be an easy road, but we all know we are doing the right thing."

The movement has invited comparisons with protesters pushing for independence for the Spanish region of Catalonia, where the sentencing of separatist leaders to long prison terms led to renewed and sometimes violent protests.

. Barcelona, Spain. Reuters/Rafael Marchante
Axel Buxade, 18, poses for a photograph with a Catalan flag during a protest at University Square in Barcelona, Spain.

"We're here, mainly young people, outraged by the sentences and the inability of politicians to talk," said Barcelona student Axel Buxade, 18, holding a Catalan flag at a demonstrators' camp on a city street.

"There have been acts of mutual support, if they reach their goal we'll be very happy," he said, referring to Hong Kong.

. Santiago, Chile. Reuters/Jorge Silva
Alex Munoz Fuentes, 47, poses for a photograph with a Chilean flag in Santiago, Chile.

Economics, and in particular inequality has also proved a potent fuel for protests in Lebanon, Chile, Ecuador and Iraq.

"People in the world are tired of injustice," said Chilean Alex Munoz Fuentes, a 47-year-old accountant, standing before a burning barricade on a Santiago street.

"I don't want anything given for free," he said, the national flag in one hand and a pair of goggles to protect him from the effects of tear gas in the other.

"But I know that in Chile the institutions, the law and the constitution are made to abuse the working classes. I want a new deal.

"Hong Kong is similar, the authorities are not thinking about people's well-being. I have a fraternal hug for them, and all my solidarity from Chile. Please don't give up."

PHOTO EDITING GABRIELLE FONSECA JOHNSON; writing Tom Westbrook; text editing; Angus MacSwan; Layout Julia Dalrymple

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Slideshow

Mohammad Anas Qureshi, 20, who is a fruit vendor, poses for photo with the national flag of India in front of riot police during a protest against a new citizenship law in Delhi, India, December 19, 2019. "We are here to protest against the new citizenship law. This law is wrong against Muslims and India. It will divide the country. We won't let it happen," he said. " I think all the protestors all over the world are fighting for their rights." "Protestors all over the world are our brothers. We hope that God gives them more strength in their fight for their rights."
. Delhi, India. Reuters/Danish Siddiqui

Mohammad Anas Qureshi, 20, who is a fruit vendor, poses for photo with the national flag of India in front of riot police during a protest against a new citizenship law in Delhi, India, December 19, 2019. "We are here to protest against the new citizenship law. This law is wrong against Muslims and India. It will divide the country. We won't let it happen," he said. " I think all the protestors all over the world are fighting for their rights." "Protestors all over the world are our brothers. We hope that God gives them more strength in their fight for their rights."

Ronnie, 27, an office worker, poses for a photograph during a protest in Central, Hong Kong, China November 11, 2019. Ronnie demands genuine universal suffrage for the city’s leader and legislative council representatives. "'Five demands, not one less’ is not only a slogan, but a cause I will fight for until the end." Ronnie wants to express the message that the fight for human rights and democracy are basic fundamental values that we need to defend at all costs.
. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Tyrone Siu

Ronnie, 27, an office worker, poses for a photograph during a protest in Central, Hong Kong, China November 11, 2019. Ronnie demands genuine universal suffrage for the city’s leader and legislative council representatives. "'Five demands, not one less’ is not only a slogan, but a cause I will fight for until the end." Ronnie wants to express the message that the fight for human rights and democracy are basic fundamental values that we need to defend at all costs.

Rese Domini, 31, an activist for an organization called the Haitian Equality Movement for Fraternity (MONEGAF) poses for a photograph during a protest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, November 10, 2019 "Here we are not treated like humans," said Domini. "We don't have access to hospitals, schools, university, food, security or infrastructure," he said. "That is why it is important for us to rebel against the accused Jovenel Moses and ask him to leave. He is a thief...we need a government that can meet our needs. Many places are protesting because there is exploitation everywhere."
. Port-Au-Prince, Haiti. Reuters/Valerie Baeriswyl

Rese Domini, 31, an activist for an organization called the Haitian Equality Movement for Fraternity (MONEGAF) poses for a photograph during a protest in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, November 10, 2019 "Here we are not treated like humans," said Domini. "We don't have access to hospitals, schools, university, food, security or infrastructure," he said. "That is why it is important for us to rebel against the accused Jovenel Moses and ask him to leave. He is a thief...we need a government that can meet our needs. Many places are protesting because there is exploitation everywhere."

Paola Correa, 37, who is an artist, poses for a photograph at a protest during a national strike in Bogota, Colombia, November 26, 2019. "I go out to protest because I am sure that the demonstrations... can generate the social and political transformations that this country needs," Correa said. "In reality I do not protest for me, I protest for people of other races, for the peasants, for the disappeared." "There are many ways to support the protests, there are people who don't go out on the streets because of the fear that the state itself is generating... but (you) can make a difference, in how you treat others, that's also a change, and it happens from the most intimate moments of our lives."
. Bogota, Colombia. Reuters/Luisa Gonzalez

Paola Correa, 37, who is an artist, poses for a photograph at a protest during a national strike in Bogota, Colombia, November 26, 2019. "I go out to protest because I am sure that the demonstrations... can generate the social and political transformations that this country needs," Correa said. "In reality I do not protest for me, I protest for people of other races, for the peasants, for the disappeared." "There are many ways to support the protests, there are people who don't go out on the streets because of the fear that the state itself is generating... but (you) can make a difference, in how you treat others, that's also a change, and it happens from the most intimate moments of our lives."

Dancer Francisco Bustamante, 22, holds up a shield reading "sissy resistance" during a protest marking the National Day Against Femicide in Santiago, Chile, December 19, 2019. Bustamante said he was protesting "for the resistance of the dissidences." "We would not protest if things were fine, the people get up and every time they have more fire, and that makes me happy." "Let's not stop making noise, we are not alone, it is not a struggle only of our country... (it is) around the world".
. Santiago, Chile. Reuters/Ivan Alvarado

Dancer Francisco Bustamante, 22, holds up a shield reading "sissy resistance" during a protest marking the National Day Against Femicide in Santiago, Chile, December 19, 2019. Bustamante said he was protesting "for the resistance of the dissidences." "We would not protest if things were fine, the people get up and every time they have more fire, and that makes me happy." "Let's not stop making noise, we are not alone, it is not a struggle only of our country... (it is) around the world".

Rivera Zambrano, 67, poses for a photograph as he and fellow coca farmers and supporters of Bolivia's ousted President Evo Morales, stage a blockade at the main road of The Chapare province, in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, November 26, 2019. "There is injustice," said Rivera. "This a government selling our homeland. No one chose them. All people are on a vigil, which we will not lift. We do not want that president." "We want peace. The previous governments did nothing for us. Only the government of Evo Morales has done something for us. We are claiming our rights."
. Villa Tunari, Bolivia. Reuters/Marco Bello

Rivera Zambrano, 67, poses for a photograph as he and fellow coca farmers and supporters of Bolivia's ousted President Evo Morales, stage a blockade at the main road of The Chapare province, in Villa Tunari, Bolivia, November 26, 2019. "There is injustice," said Rivera. "This a government selling our homeland. No one chose them. All people are on a vigil, which we will not lift. We do not want that president." "We want peace. The previous governments did nothing for us. Only the government of Evo Morales has done something for us. We are claiming our rights."

A protestor, nicknamed Liberty Girl God, 15, and her boyfriend nicknamed Little Brother, 15, pose for a photograph during a protest in front of Lennon Wall in Hong Kong, China, December 10, 2019. "We want the government to finally respond to our demands and to make changes quickly" said Liberty Girl God. "In my opinion (protestors in other countries) have the same demands as us." "This may be a hard way to achieve our wish but I believe we will win."
. Hong Kong, China. Reuters/Danish Siddiqui

A protestor, nicknamed Liberty Girl God, 15, and her boyfriend nicknamed Little Brother, 15, pose for a photograph during a protest in front of Lennon Wall in Hong Kong, China, December 10, 2019. "We want the government to finally respond to our demands and to make changes quickly" said Liberty Girl God. "In my opinion (protestors in other countries) have the same demands as us." "This may be a hard way to achieve our wish but I believe we will win."

Protester Didier Baylac, wears a yellow vest as he poses for a photograph during the 56th round of protests, with a backdrop of social discontentment triggered by president Macron's pensions reform plan in Paris, France, December 7, 2019. "I demonstrate for a better purchasing power," Baylac said. "I am here also against the rise in violence carried out by the police forces at the Saturday demonstrations," he continued."All the powerful, all the rich, want us to believe we live in a wonderful world, that we are protected, we do not need to worry about anything. All this is untrue: it is only the case for the rich people who are protected ... all the other honest small people struggle." "(People should) get up and demonstrate every Saturday to show what is wrong with your country. All this in the most peaceful way possible."
. Paris, France. Reuters/Benoit Tessier

Protester Didier Baylac, wears a yellow vest as he poses for a photograph during the 56th round of protests, with a backdrop of social discontentment triggered by president Macron's pensions reform plan in Paris, France, December 7, 2019. "I demonstrate for a better purchasing power," Baylac said. "I am here also against the rise in violence carried out by the police forces at the Saturday demonstrations," he continued."All the powerful, all the rich, want us to believe we live in a wonderful world, that we are protected, we do not need to worry about anything. All this is untrue: it is only the case for the rich people who are protected ... all the other honest small people struggle." "(People should) get up and demonstrate every Saturday to show what is wrong with your country. All this in the most peaceful way possible."

Hiba Ghosn, 36, who works in the fashion industry, poses for a photograph behind her friends sitting in the afternoon sun on Martyrs' square, as people gather for a demonstration during ongoing anti-government protests in Beirut, Lebanon, November 17, 2019. "They are thieves, every single one of them. They've been robbing us for 30 years," She said. "The new generation should come in and politicians that are more like us, and see what we see. I think it's gonna take a very long time to reach there...but we will. I think we've woken up the dragon." "(Globally) people have had enough. I think they are all asking for those basic rights."
. Beirut, Lebanon. Reuters/Andres Martinez Casares

Hiba Ghosn, 36, who works in the fashion industry, poses for a photograph behind her friends sitting in the afternoon sun on Martyrs' square, as people gather for a demonstration during ongoing anti-government protests in Beirut, Lebanon, November 17, 2019. "They are thieves, every single one of them. They've been robbing us for 30 years," She said. "The new generation should come in and politicians that are more like us, and see what we see. I think it's gonna take a very long time to reach there...but we will. I think we've woken up the dragon." "(Globally) people have had enough. I think they are all asking for those basic rights."

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