Suspect Photography

Last week, in Milan, I had the honor to participate as a photographer at the Liberation Day Parade that celebrates the end of the oppression of Italians from fascism during WW2. I didn’t really know what I was getting into and decided I would experience this massive display as it played out, with my trusty Nikon Z9 in hand, along with Steve Simon and Ugo Cei, as we lead 6 other photographers as part of our Milan Street Photography Workshop.

We emerged from the Milan Subway at the start of the parade among throngs of shouting Italians celebrating the release from the grips of the Nazis, complete with many signs and symbols of various Italian political parties. We broke into small groups and inserted ourselves into the fray, me, with a tall So Cal/Arizona photographer and Klaus, an older German photographer from Munich. As chance would have it, we started to walk the route of the parade among the “Brigata Ebraica” or Jewish Brigade. This fit me well as a contrary element of pro Palestinians were expected. I asked my fellow photographers to pull me out of the conflict if it erupted as I have little sympathy for Hamas or those who support their agenda. (I stand with my Jewish brothers and sisters). I didn’t want to get into a fight, my goal was to document.

Here is what I saw- we walked at an easy pace, the Brigade was comprised of Jewish and Jewish sympathizers. They marched peacefully in groups, typical older jews and younger ones. No orthodox nor hassids, they were indistinguishable from regular Italian society.

Fully integrated. However what set aside the Jewish Brigade from the other political groups marching was they had a large security detail of “City Angels” The City Angels group are an independent, multiethnic, gay-friendly and anti-racist group of street volunteers, founded in 1994 in Milan by Mario Furlan and they formed a cordon around brigatta. The Angels were very similar to Curtis Sliwa’s Guardian Angels, complete with red satin jackets, combat boot and blue berets. They took their charge serious, and locked hands to ensure the Jews of Italy could march safely on the look out for antisemites and other malcontents. I salute the City Angels.
There I was, marching alongside my tribe and all of sudden I realized I wasn’t just a photographer covering the event, I was part of the event. At my side was the older German Photographer Klaus, and as he stumbled I caught him. The realization was profound. My pride bristled, and as a self proclaimed Neo Pagan I felt my Jewish blood rise, feeling the call of my ancestors. Jewish sympathizers guarding us, Italian citizens respecting us, and then we came across small groups of pro-gazans who were vocal, but that was all. Not violent, just words being flung about in Italian. Young Arabs and a minority of mislead left leaning Italians who were sidelined by the vigilant protection of the City Angels.

The Jewish Brigade marched on, with black signs of the names of Nazi concentration camps, banners saying, “Free the Hostages” and images of the atrocities faced by the jews and chanting, “Ora E Sempre Resistenza”- Now and Forever- Resistance. I found my self joining in the chant. Even as I write this my hands shake in the recollection.

Ora E Sempre Resistenza! I recall how my father, who kept a round JDL pin of a boot stomping a swastika and the words, “Never Again”. How he would have felt pride in this march. These are my words, this is what I saw, and this is what I photographed.

We plan on returning next year to lead a workshop again, and certainly I will join the Jewish Brigade and march the Liberation parade with camera in hand. You find family in the oddest places I suppose.

Ora E Sempre Resistenza!