Popular movements demanding “democracy” and ” economic equality” occurred around the world in the early 2000s: from Iran’s Green Revolution (2009), to the Arab Spring (2010 – 2011), to Occupy Wall Street (2011). With passionate young activists in the forefront, heavily utilizing social media and embracing new strategies and tactics, each movement claimed important victories but fell short of their ultimate goals.

The exhibition explores, through the lens of several photojournalists, what lessons contemporary activists might take away from these three important mass movements. The exhibit is curated by UIC scholars and activists, Atef Said and Kaveh Rafie.