The Unspeakeasy With Meghan Daum Street Protesters: Who Are They, Really? with Jeremy Lee Quinn
Oct 1, 2025
Photojournalist Jeremy Lee Quinn, known for his in-depth coverage of protests since 2020, shares his insights on the often-chaotic reality behind peaceful demonstrations. He discusses the misleading nature of viral clips, the different layers within protest crowds, and how freelance journalism can distort narratives. Jeremy also explores the motivations behind militant tactics, the intersection of ideologies among protesters, and the challenges of media literacy. His unique perspectives shed light on the complexities of activism and the fight for accurate representation.
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Militancy Is Cultural, Not Random
- Jeremy Lee Quinn discovered that militant tactics at protests are part of a culture, not random acts.
- He found decentralized, autonomous groups use viral tactics to exploit moments of mass protest.
Black Bloc Is A Tactic, Not A Group
- Black bloc is a tactic of anonymizing participants by dressing head to toe in black, not an organized group.
- It originated in 1980s Germany and spread as a viral protest tactic in the U.S.
From Mainstream Marches To Masked Downtown Crowds
- Quinn traced protests from mainstream neighborhood marches into downtown where masked black-clad militants concentrated.
- He observed crowds becoming 80–90% masked, changing crowd dynamics against police lines.
