This image is from Celebrate People’s History/Iraq Veterans Against the War: Ten Years of Fighting for Peace and Justice, a portfolio that celebrated IVAW’s first ten years and was produced by Justseeds, IVAW, Booklyn, Repetitive Press, and the Civilian Soldier Alliance.
(IVAW is now known as About Face: Veterans Against the War)
Oakland police attacked peaceful protesters including Scott Olsen, an Iraq War veteran and IVAW member, at an Occupy protest in 2011. Scott stood strong in support of Occupy Oakland until he was shot point blank with a projectile by an Oakland police officer.
Zeke Penya, Zeke Peña, is an artist, creator, and activist born in New mexico and based in el Paso, Texas. He makes hand-crafted transmedia work in traditional and digital mediums. His work explores ritual and survival through storytelling.
A graphic-novel style drawing in light tan, white, and black, features a crowd of protestors at the bottom of the image. They hold signs that say, “Occupy Oakland,” “Iraq Veterans Against War,” and “End the War.” Standing in front, a tall figure of a man wearing a military-issue camouflage jacket and a hat which shades his eyes as he looks at the viewer. Above and around his head are the words, “In 2011 Scott Olsen, a two time Iraq veteran suffered a skull fracture from being shot in the head by the Oakland Police during a peaceful protest. He continues to fight for peace and justice.” Above Olsen and the crowd, three gas canisters are flying through the air towards the protest.
