Media

Capturing what we do

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Our impact in photos

At the Center for Work and Democracy, we create, attend, and support a variety of events tied to our mission of working-class empowerment. In "Media", we show our perspective on the work we do and on the world around us.

"Where there's people, there's power"

– The community at George Floyd Square

George Floyd Square, Rise and Remember 2022

two people sit, filling sandbags. — Maude McQuarrie and Jorge Hernandez fill sandbags in preparation for the Rise and Remember event hosted in George Floyd Square.

Three people posed in front of the fist at 38th and Chicago. — Michael McQuarrie, Jorge Hernandez, and Maria Esch pose in front of the fist at 38th and Chicago after finishing helping set-up for the Rise and Remember event.

Image of a street with names painted on it. — At George Floyd Square, the community mourns the loss of any and all people whose lives were taken by the police. The names are immortalized on the streets of 38th and Chicago.

A spray paint portrait. — A spray paint portrait of George Floyd on display at the Rise and Remember event.

A quilt square. — RAs Maria Esch and Jorge Hernandez crafted quilt squares at the Rise and Remember event.

Quilt. — One of the community-made quilts on display at the Rise and Remember event.

4 people stand, in fancy dress, in front of a photo gallery wall. — Michael McQuarrie, Jorge Hernandez, Maria Esch, and Rashad Shabazz at the George Floyd Global Memorial Fundraising Gala.

Three women crafting. — Three women crafting quilt squares at the Rise and Remember event.

Image of the intersection at 38th and Chicago. — The Rise and Remember Event at George Floyd Square takes place at 38th and Chicago on the anniversary of the murder of George Floyd by the Minneapolis Police Department. Community members and guests celebrate the life of George Floyd at this event.

A landscape shot of the Say Their Names lawn. — An image of the landscape of George Floyd Square. The Say Their Names lawn was decorated with candles, flowers, and personalized headstones for the fallen at the Rise and Remember event.

Image of 38th and Chicago. — "Where There's People There's Power."

Vendors lining a street. — Vendors line the streets for the Rise and Remember event.

painting on the street of a portrait in front of a blue sky. — Artists paint images of George Floyd at 38th and Chicago. The memorial of art, candles, flowers, and more continues to stand and grow as the community remembers Floyd's life.

People march down 38th street. — Community members and guests remember the lives of those lost to police violence at the Candlelight Vigil.

Candles line a street with names written upon it. — Candles line the Names Walk as community members and guests sing and march, mourning the lives stolen.

Man playing a violin in front of a cemetary. — A local musician performs on his violin at the Say Their Names Lawn for the Rise and Remember Vigil.

Young man fills cups with water. — Research assistant Jorge Hernandez fills cups of water in preparation for the Candlelight Vigil.

People's Way. — The People's Way.

Sign: Rise and Remember: We Will Heal Us — "We Will Heal Us"

Volunteers lay flowers among the rows at a cemetary — Volunteers lay flowers and candles at the headstones on the Say Their Names Lawn.

People walk in a cemetary. — Community members and guests walk among the headstones on the Say Their Names lawn as music plays and prayers are voiced.

Sign: Justice, Accountability, and Healing for George Floyd — "Justice, Accountability, and Healing for George Floyd. Say His Name."

Candlelight vigil at the Square. — The Candlelight Vigil, hosted at the Square.

Center Conferences

Maria Esch — Graduate RA Maria Esch attends the 2021 Center Conference. Photo courtesy of FLOWSTATE films.

Muriel Payraudeau — Research Associate Muriel Payraudeau at the Fall 2021 Center Conference. Photo courtesy of FLOWSTATE films

Ben Tracey asking questions. — Ben Tracey of Healthcare Rising Arizona participates in a Q&A session. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Three guests speak together. — Cedric de Leon, Johnnie Lotesta, and Michael McQuarrie share words during our Fall 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

The crowd at the conference applauds. — Audience applause at the 2022 Center Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Image of the conference audience. — The audience at the 2022 Conference listens to Cedric Johnson’s commentary on the keynote address. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Ben Fong. — Associate Director Benjamin Fong asks questions to the panelists at the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Cedric de Leon addresses a crowd. — External Advisory Board member Cedric de Leon speaks as a panelist at the roundtable discussion Possibilities for Labor Movement Renewal during the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Cedric Johnson speaks into a mic. — External Advisory Board member Cedric Johnson provides commentary for Marcia Howard’s Keynote address, Workers’ Organizations and the Movement for Black Liberation, at the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference.Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Conference crowd. — A peek of the crowd at the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference.

Craig Calhoun sits, listening with his hands beneath his chin. — Advisory Board Chair Craig Calhoun enjoying a panel of the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Heidi Gottfried holding a microphone. — External Advisory Board member Heidi Gottfried asks questions from the crowd during the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Two women discuss something, looking at their phones. — Staff Researchers Maria Esch (left) and Muriel Payraudeau (right) prepare for the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference.

Craig Calhoun engages the crowd. — Craig Calhoun chairs the panel on Place, Civic Culture, and the Right at the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Heidi Gottfried addresses the crowd. — Heidi Gottfried provides commentary for the panel on The Labor Movement and Its Renewal during the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Woman holding a mic up and smiling. — Research Assistant Maria Esch hosts a Q&A session during the 2022 Conference.

Jeff Sallaz addresses the crowd. — Jeff Sallaz presents on his research paper, “Can Outsourced Workers Be Organized?,” at the 2022 Fall Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Two women smile and pose for the camera after the conference. — Presenters Johnnie Lotesta and Sara Trongone pose for a photo after the final panel of the 2022 Conference.

LaDawn speaking into a microphone. — Faculty Affiliate LaDawn Haglund asks questions during a Q&A session. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Marcia Howard gestures during her keynote speech. — External Advisory Board member and community leader at George Floyd Square Marcia Howard delivers a powerful keynote address: Workers’ Organizations and the Movement for Black Liberation at the 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Mary Margaret, in dramatic lighting, listens intently. — Advisory Board member Mary Margaret Fonow chairs a panel on The Labor Movement and Its Renewal at the 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Three women speak together, seated. — Major players in labor scholarship Mary Margaret Fonow, Heidi Gottfried, and Ruth Milkman share words after the final panel of the Center’s 2022 Fall Conference.

Michael McQuarrie watches a speaker from the crowd. — Center Director Michael McQuarrie listens intently to Marcia Howard’s keynote address. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Craig Calhoun addresses the crowd. — Craig Calhoun presents at the 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films

Woman tips her head back in laughter. — Panelists Jeff Sallaz, Sara Trongone, and Ruth Milkman at the Fall 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Two gentlemen speak after the conference. — Benjamin Case, Post-doctoral scholar for the Center, and Cedrec de Leon converse in between sessions at the 2022 Conference.

Gentleman in the crowd stands and asks a question. — Ron Ruggiero of The Ruggiero Group provides valuable insight to the final panel of the 2022 Conference.

Man in a blue suit addresses the crowd. — Rashad Shabazz provides commentary to Marcia Howard’s keynote address. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Man in a blue suit asks a question. — Advisory Board member Rashad Shabazz asks questions during a Q&A session at the 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Woman with a microphone in front of a powerpoint slide. — External Advisory Board member Ruth Milkman presents her research paper, “A New Generation of Labor Activists: Origins and Future Prospects,” at the 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Woman looks left. — Sara Trongone sits at the panel for The Labor Movement and Its Renewal, listening to the other speakers. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Marcia Howard and Rashad Shabazz share a laugh. — Rashad Shabazz and Marcia Howard share a laugh at the 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Woman speaks into a microphone. — Stephanie Mudge participated in a Q&A session at the 2022 Conference. Photo courtesy of Jacen Sievers at FLOWSTATE films.

Young woman posed in front of flyer sign. — Staff researcher Muriel Payraudeau poses in her union-made suit at the 2022 Center Conference. (Shoutout to the International Ladies' Garment Workers' Union!)

Gentleman holding a plate of food. — Ron Ruggiero celebrates with a plate of food at a post-conference dinner celebration.

Two men at a dinner buffet. — Ron Ruggiero and Cedric de Leon enjoy a dinner buffet at the post-conference meal.

Barrett Community Dialogue Events

Two women sit at the front of the classroom, looking to the right. — Speakers Fodor and Montoya share their expertise on ballot initiatives at the Barrett Community Dialogue event.

Three speakers at the front of a classroom. — Fodor, Montoya, and Fong talk ballot initiatives at the BCD event.

Book Launches

Stack of orange books for sale — "Street Rebellion: Resistance Beyond Violence and Nonviolence" by Benjamin S. Case for sale at Case's book launch event.

A group seated on a film set. — Film staff snaps a behind-the-scenes group photo at the virtual book launch for "Street Rebellion."

Image of a video screen prepping for a virtual event. — ASU's amazing film team prepares for Case's virtual book launch.

five people laugh, seated on a film set. — A candid shot of the Center Staff snapped amidst more formal group photos.

Five staff members sit on a film set. — Center staffers Muriel, Michael, Ben Case, Maria, and Jorge pose for a photo on set of Case's virtual book launch.

Young man posed in a studio room. — Research assistant Jorge Hernandez helps prepare for Case's virtual book launch event.

Young woman posed in a studio space. — Research associate Muriel Payraudeau helps prepare for the virtual launch of "Street Rebellion."

Two men on a film set. — Center Director Michael McQuarrie and Postdoctoral Scholar Benjamin Case prepare to go live for Case's virtual book launch event.

Filming studio. — SST support staff help to make the virtual launch of "Street Rebellion" a huge success.

Three men sit at the front of a conference room in front of a crowd. — Ben Fong, Ben Case, and George Weddington share their thoughts on "Street Rebellion" at the in-person book launch event.

photo of a seated crowd. — A crowd sits, watching and listening to Fong, Case, and Weddington discuss "Street Rebellion."

Group poses for a photo at a large dining table. — Center folks enjoy a dinner together to celebrate the success of Case's book launch. (Shoutout to Belly Kitchen and Bar for a great meal!)

Copies of "After Black Lives Matter" stacked in a pile to be sold. — Copies of Cedric Johnson's "After Black Lives Matter" were sold at the launch event in April.

A man standing at a podium, addressing a crowd. — Cedric Johnson addresses the crowd at the launch event for his new book, "After Black Lives Matter."

A seated crowd looks at the speaker. — An audience of guests looks to Johnson as he presents his book, preparing questions for the Q&A.

Man sitting on red chair, gesturing. — At the virtual launch event for his book "Quick Fixes: Drugs in America from Prohibition to the 21st Century Binge," Center Associate Director Ben Fong answers questions from online viewers.

A woman and man sit, smiling, behind a computer. — Behind the scenes of Ben's virtual book launch event, Muriel and Jorge put in some major work.

Two men sitting in red chairs speak to one another in a studio space. — Director Michael McQuarrie acts as a discussant at the virtual launch event for Ben Fong's book, "Quick Fixes."

Stack of white, green, and orange books for sale. — Ben Fong's new book "Quick Fixes: Drugs in America from Prohibition to the 21st Century Binge" on sale at the in-person launch event!

Three speakers sit, facing the crowd, in a meeting room space. — At the in-person book launch, Fong was joined by discussants Alex Avina and Jenny Brian to talk "Quick Fixes."

A crowd of seated people facing seated speakers at the front of the room. — The sizable crowd for the in-person "Quick Fixes" book launch brought added enthusiasm and energy to the event.

two men sit in leather chairs, conversing and gesticulating — Author Todd Vachon and discussant Craig Calhoun confer about Vachon's new book, "Clean Air and Good Jobs: U.S. Labor and the Struggle for Climate Justice,," at his book launch event.

A crowd of individuals sit, their left side profiles show. — Students, faculty, and community members gather to view Todd Vachon's book talk for "Clean Air and Good Jobs."

Three men stand side by side, two are holding up copies of "Clean Air and Good Jobs." — Craig Calhoun, Todd Vachon, and Michael McQuarrie pose with "Clean Air and Good Jobs" after the Q&A portion of the book launch event.

H.L.T Quan, McQuarrie and Curtis Austin — H.L.T. Quan, CWD Director Michael McQuarrie, and Curtis Austin pose for a photo following Quan's book launch for "Become Ungovernable" on March 15, 2024.

Crowd at H.L.T Quan's book launch — The crowd listens to H.L.T Quan discuss her new book "Become Ungovernable" as part of the Twin Flames Speaker Series at the ASU Art Museum on March 15, 2024.

H.L.T Quan and Curtis Austin — H.L.T. Quan and Curtis Austin discuss Quan's book "Become Ungovernable" during a Twin Flames Speaker Series event at the ASU Art Museum on March 15, 2024.

Guest Speakers

Selfie from a group of six people. — Center staff members (left to right) Ben Fong, Jorge Hernandes, Maria Esch, Muriel Payraudeau, and Ben Case pose with guest speaker Jennifer Silva after her talk, "Pain and Politics in the Heart of America."

Woman leaning on her hands standing at a podium. — Jennifer Silva lectures the crowd at West Hall during her presentation "Pain and Politics in the Heart of America."

Woman, seated, speaks into a microphone. — Members of the crowd ask Silva about her research during the event's Q&A portion.

Woman seated on a stair, hands folded under her chin. — Center Assistant Director Carolyn Forbes watches "Pain and Politics in the Heart of America," engaged from the sidelines.

Woman gesturing, leaning against a lecturn. — Jennifer Silva responds with gusto to a question from the audience.

Members of a crowd sit in a semi-circle. A gentleman speaks into a microphone. — Associate Director Ben Fong asks Silva a question from the crowd.

A crowd of seated people facing a woman in a blue sweater at the front of the room. — The event crowd listens to Jennifer Silva as she lectures.

Sign for the Zoe West event outside of West Hall — Preparing for an exciting day of events with Zoe West!

Seated woman in a crowd speaks into a microphone. — Members of the audience chime in with questions for West.

Woman speaking at the front of a classroom — Dr. Zoë West gives her presentation "From Precarity to Possibility" to the crowd at West Hall.

Woman speaking at a podium — West's talk dives into the details of a new style of "promotora" program that links workers with advocates from their own communities.

The audience listens to Deva Woodly at the "Politics of Care" event on April 4, 2024

Deva Woodly talks to the audience at "The Politics of Care" event

Deva Woodly and Michael McQuarrie speak during "The Politics of Care" on April 4, 2024.

George Floyd Square, Rise and Remember 2023

24 demands written on four large sheets of plywood — The 24 Demands written by the community at 38th and Chicago.

"No justice no streets" written on a bus shelter — Community art in the Square: "No justice, no streets."

Image of a field filled with white headstones. — The "Say Their Names" memorial: mourning the deaths and celebrating the lives of Black Americans killed by law enforcement.

Sign that reads: Welcome to George Floyd Square, A Community — Welcome to George Floyd Square: A Community

Red rose and a slice of banana bread. — Bread and roses in GFS.

Sign readings "Say Their Names" — Directions to the Say Their Names memorial.

Sign reading "Ubuntu, Rise & Remember, May 25-27!" — "Ubuntu:" I am, because we are.

Community bookshelf in George Floyd Square. — Alongside their greenhouse and the People's Closet, the community at GFS has created a miniature library to serve their neighborhood.

woman crouches, touching up a mural in recognition of Donavan Starlen Mountain — Memorial art was touched up before the events of Rise and Remember. This individual helped to finish painting the name of Donavan Starlen Mountain to honor his memory.

large wooden fist sculpture — A large wooden fist on permanent display in George Floyd Square.

many hands fill five-gallon buckets with rose petals — Volunteers pluck the petals off of dozens of roses in preparation for the procession to and through the Say Their Names memorial during the candlelight vigil on May 25th.

a large group of mourners processes through a field of white headstones. — Mourners process through the Say Their Names memorial as the sun lowers on May 25th.

A marching band leads the procession down the mourning passage. — Brass Solidarity leads the procession down the Mourning Passage and toward the Say Their Names memorial during the candlelight vigil.

Woman points, rallying a crowd. — During the memorial, the "Gatekeeper" of GFS rallies the crowd while local musicians perform.

A crowd raises their fists. — Mourners at the candlelight vigil raise their fists in solidarity.

Two men walk, arms around one another. — Center board member Rashad Shabazz and Center Director Michael McQuarrie embrace after viewing an emotional musical performance at the candlelight vigil.

Six people pose in front of Prince's house: Paisley Park. — CWD personnel pose in front of Paisley Park, the location of the George Floyd Global Memorial's 2023 Fundraising Gala.

Ndaba Mandela, grandson of the late Nelson Mandela, gives the keynote address at the GFGM Fundraising Gala.

Posters reading: "We do not want your precinct here! Nor there! We do not want it any-where!" — Posters in George Floyd Square reflect the character and convictions of the autonomous zone.

Art of George Floyd — Original protest art, this particular piece depicting George Floyd, lined the streets at the Rise and Remember community Festival.

Art depicting a hardwood tree and a fist intertwined. It reads: "Racial trauma runs deep, but together we rise" — Protest art displayed at the Rise and Remember Festival highlights the pain brought on by systemic racism and the power of unity in combatting it.

A memorial reads "love." — The corner of 38th and Chicago, where George Floyd was lynched on May 25th, 2020, hosts a memorial that continues to grow as mourners leave offerings in Floyd's honor.

Mural reads: "You changed the world, George" — A mural in the Square reads: "You changed the world, George."

Large piece of community art. — At the Rise and Remember Festival, visitors and community members alike were asked to paint their emotions from May 25th, 2020-- when they first learned of George Floyd's murder and the uprising began.

2023-2024 Internal Strategy Meeting

group of seven people, some seated some standing, posing for a photo — Members of our staff and advisory board pose for a group photo at our 2023-2024 internal strategy meeting.

Three people, seated, smiling for a photo. — Staff members Jorge, Muriel, and Ben smile for the camera.

Four people converse, some seated, others standing. — Marcus and Michael share a word during the meeting with Ashley and Carolyn do the same.

People gather at a set of tables, talking in earnest. — The team sits down to discuss major events and publications for the year, mapping them out on large calendars.

Two women hold up and point to a large calendar page. — Maria and Muriel lead the discussion in choosing event dates for the big year ahead of us at the CWD.