Citizens of Our Time

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project © Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project © Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project View all images ↓
View all images ↓
Report issue

'Citizens of Our Time' aims to deconstruct the image of 'The Protester' as simply an agent of disruption. The project was conceived in 1997 and continues to this day. It aims to explore the personal voices of campaigners, creating a collaborative mix media visual archive of protest from within the UK, but pertinent to all.

Each campaigner is responsible for the handwritten text that appears on the single unique prints. The subjects range from local issues to international events; from gender issues to health issues; from personal rights to political acts. In short the project aims to document concerns of the people; of the here and now.

History will be the judge of many campaigns, and far from flying in the face of the consensus, many have managed to shape it. Some are International in their cause or local, some deeply personal. Over time many have generated public debate and managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of public opinion, affecting change in government policy; others not.

Globally however, governments and agents of power are increasingly trying to control at best; eradicate at worst the most basic right; freedom of speech. The act of protest is a visual manifestation of this. It’s a counterclaim to the establishment view; a voice of the wronged, or of the threatened, acted out within the public realm.

Social media has made it no longer possible to suppress protest. It can be coordinated globally. Information can be shared, stories can be told, Issues can be debated. Governments can be held to account.

Criticism and protest may not always be agreeable but it is necessary if we are to create and maintain an inclusive democratic society.

The project continues apace and is increasing in depth with the production of audio interviews with the contributors. Its aim is to create a document of our time; a reference point of protest within the UK over a period of time.

"First they ignore you, then they laugh at you, then they want to fight you and then you win. Protesting is the lifeblood of democracy; whether you agree with them or not."

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Trump Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Sisters of the Immaculate Protection Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Pinochet Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Movement Against the Monarchy (MAM) Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Brexit Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti GM Food Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: School Strike 4 Climate Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Disability Rights Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Prorogation of Parliament Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Fathers4Justice Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Fracking Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Peadophile Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Holy Cross School Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti-Iraq War Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Ghurka Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Justice for Ricky Reel Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Pensioners Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Save Sheffields Trees Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Saddam Hussein Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'

© Gary Calton - Image from the Citizens of Our Time photography project
i

Citizens of Our Time: Anti Kosovan war Campaign. The ‘Citizens of our time Project,’ has documented ‘social activism,’ in the UK, since 1997. It continues to this day. It is a multi year collaborative, mixed media project aiming to create a reference archive of campaigners and to document their voices and issues across the UK. Campaigners were asked to write their own direct and uncensored message onto the single unique photographic print. The collection represent the broad variety of issues that have engaged the UK population over this snap shot of time. It represents people who felt strongly enough to take to the streets and voice their concerns. Many were protesting for the very first time. Many had felt compelled to physically protest because they had exhausted all other avenues of campaigning. Some were international in their cause, others local or deeply personal. Over time many have managed to change government policy, others have managed to educate and inform the public at large and create a ground swell of opinion. Some have been ignored, but yet proved to have been correct in their assertions; others not. All sincerely believed in their message. The projects aim is to create and collate a unique social document that can act as reference point for generations to come . 'First they Ignore you, then they Laugh at you, then they Fight you, then you Win.'