19th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest The American Experience
The Handstand

In June and July of 2020 Black Lives Matter demonstrators occupied City Hall Park in lower Manhattan. After several weeks police appeared poised to remove the demonstrators by force. This photo captures a moment when a demonstrator performed a headstand in front of a line of baffled police officers, defusing a tense moment when violence seemed imminent.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 07.2020
Date Uploaded: 11.2021
Photo Location: New York City, New York, United States of America
Copyright: © Clay Benskin
Awards
Finalist