Three original large-format black-and-white photographs of a Manhattan anti-war rally, ca. 1990

[N.p.; photographer unknown, ca 1990]. Three large-format black-and-white photographic prints, 11" x 14"; very mild creasing at edges, still Near Fine.

Three anonymous but excellent images of a Gulf War-era demonstration, probably in Manhattan, ca. 1990. The photographer is unidentified, but the prints are of professional quality, and capture close-up scenes of crowds carrying banners and placards opposing military involvement in the Middle East and directly attacking President George H.W. Bush. One placard calls for Bush's impeachment, accusing him of "...creating the Gulf War to Cover Up His High Crimes and Misdemeanors;" another appears to read, "Liar, Liar, We Will Set Your Ass on Fire."

Several images suggest a New York (likely Manhattan) locale: one poster connects the marcher to SUNY Old Westbury on Long Island; several placards bear the imprint of the National Coalition to Stop U.S. Intervention in the Middle East, including a New York City phone number.

Though the precise date is obviously uncertain, the event captured here is plausibly the October 20, 1990 nationwide protest against Operation Desert Storm; rallies took place in several cities simultaneously, but New York's was by far the largest, as some 15,000 protesters gathered at Columbus Circle and marched to Times Square. In general, opposition to the first Gulf War was rather muted, but significant demostrations did take place in October 1990 and January 1991, as well as a less well-attended counter-protest on the day of the Desert Storm victory parade, June 8th, 1991.