Submitted by matthewrodier t3_zzvpvp in IAmA
Hello Reddit! This is Matthew Rodier, a photojournalist that is based in New York, who spent 103 days documenting the Hong Kong protests of 2019.
A lot has happened since my last AMA, in Hong Kong, in America, and in my life. Hong Kong has instituted its National Security Law, which has led to the arrests of over 200 individuals, a mass exodus of Hong Kongers overseas (particularly to the UK) and essentially the criminalization of public criticism of the Hong Kong government. I have been working in the U.S. since the last AMA. Some of the stories I have covered since then have been: the reaction to the sentencing of Ahmaud Arbery's killers in Georgia, a far right political rally in Portland and subsequent street violence between the participants and counterprotesters, a large crowd gathered in the streets of D.C. to celebrate Joe Biden's victory, the storming of the United States Capitol on January 6th, 2021, and a series of climate change protests in Manhattan earlier this year.
I also moved back to NY from DC and took a break from work to deal with a family health issue, but I am excited to do some more coverage abroad in the coming year.
Two weeks ago I released the hardcover version of my photography book on the Hong Kong protests of 2019, When I Go Dreaming. Those of you interested in purchasing it can find it here: https://www.blurb.com/b/11417395-when-i-go-dreaming
So let's get to it, AMA! I will be answering questions for most of today with a few breaks in between.
Proof: https://imgur.com/a/eETOLkg. Also, this is my Mastodon account: https://journa.host/@matthewrodier