Kalispell, Montana – A counter protester tries to intimidate me at a “I Can’t Breathe” demonstration at Depot Park to protest the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man whose death was caught on video in Minneapolis. Hundreds of armed ‘Peacekeepers’ carrying high-powered rifles attended the rally as well, saying they were there to keep the peace.
For the past 5-years, I’ve been photographing the political and religious landscape of rural Northwest Montana.
In the run up to the 2024 Presidential election, I would like to turn my passion and experience as a seasoned journalist to focus on two topics often considered too hot to discuss: Politics and religion.
In this flyover state where a Republican governor and a GOP super majority in the Statehouse watched a Trump-backed candidate fail to win an election despite the former President’s repeated stumps, politics gets stirred by religion.
This is where the Oath Keepers formed and where a gutsy Montana State House Representative, Zooey Zephyr, squared off with the establishment saying “I hope the next time there an invocation, when you bow your heads in prayer you see the blood on your hands.” For three days, Republicans didn’t allow Zephyr to speak on any bills.
The first transgender woman elected to her state’s Legislature, Zephyr drew national attention to this state after Montana Republicans blocked her from speaking on the House floor. She inspired other women to speak their truth to power.
Kalispell, Montana – The Flathead Democrats held their Spring Banquet, “To The Barricades” State Rep. Zooey Zephyr, Missoula, lower right, made a guest appearance and also provided an inspirational message at the event. She spoke against a bill that would deny healthcare to transgender Montanans and was banned from the house floor and censored for “decorum” issues by the Republican super majority.
Kalispell, Montana – A woman talks to Flathead County Sheriff’s deputies during a rally after the Supreme Court overturned Roe VS Wade.
Kalispell, Montana – More than 1,000 people turned out for the “I Can’t Breathe” demonstration at Depot Park to protest the murder of George Floyd an unarmed black man whose killing was caught on video in Minneapolis. Hundreds of armed “Peacekeepers” carrying high powered rifles who said they were there to keep the peace attended as well.
Where is the separation between church and state today? By showing the people of Montana as they grapple with these issues I will be publicly displaying these pictures with quotes in galleries that invites everyone to see themselves within the bigger picture.
Kalispell, Montana – Montana Senator, Jon Tester speaks during a democratic Get Out The Vote Rally in Kalispell days before the midterm election. He won a 3rd term in the US Senate over Matt Rosendale who was supported by President Donald Trump stumping for him in Montana 3 times. Montana became a battleground state and this race shattered a state record by spending more than $60 million.
One person I’ll be watching closely is Montana Senator, and dirt farmer, Jon Tester, the last and only, statewide elected Democrat. Tester is a commanding presence despite Montana’s GOP super majority in the Statehouse, which is backed by Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte, who body slammed a reporter while he was running for office. The rough and tumble Gianforte, who illegally, trapped and shot a collared Yellowstone wolf just outside the National Park boundaries, received little more than a slap on the wrist for either of these offenses.
Tester narrowly won his third term in the U.S. Senate during the 2018 midterm elections by defeating Republican candidate Matt Rosendale. Rosendale was supported by President Trump, who held three rallies across Montana, making it a battleground state. The political battle shattered state records with spending of more than $60 million combined for both sides.
No other sitting president had ever stumped in Montana.
Spending quality time in 2024 photographing Sen. Tester at home on the farm, campaigning of the road, and in Washington D.C., will provide a unique view of the political and religious landscape.
This flyover rural state could go completely Republican in the next election cycle in Montana, a state where, Oath Keepers founder, Stewart Rhodes, founded the Oath Keepers, an American far-right anti-government militia. Rhodes is in prison for his part in the January 6th National Insurrection in Washington D.C. following the 2020 Presidential election. While the northwest Montana resident and other leaders have been convicted of violently opposing the government of the United States, including the transfer of presidential power as prescribed by the US constitution, the sentiment remains strong in Montana.
Intimidation and religious beliefs often go hand in hand.
Kalispell, Montana – Ron Wilton, 65 of Kalispell thanks people for coming out to demonstrate for the Black Lives Movement. More than 1,000 people turned out for the “I Can’t Breathe” demonstration at Depot Park to protest the murder of George Floyd an unarmed black man whose killing was caught on video in Minneapolis. Hundreds of armed “Peacekeepers” carrying high powered rifles who said they were there to keep the peace attended as well.
Kalispell, Montana – A diesel truck “Rolls Coal” smoke on a crowd of more than 1,000 people who turned out for the “I Can’t Breathe” demonstration to protest the murder of George Floyd an unarmed black man whose killing was caught on video in Minneapolis.
Strong women continue to fight for their rights in Montana.
State House Representative, Zooey Zephyr, Montana’s first transgender legislator, saw her message amplified nationally after Republicans tried to silence her in the state.
The Montana Statehouse meets in Helena every other year unless there is a special session called to discuss and pass laws. A special session is expected to be called in early 2024 to address property taxes.
I would like to attend and document the special sessions in which the Montana legislators are expected to try to correct their own budget mistake with regard to property taxes. Coverage of this session could be an important start to the 2024 election cycle.
Kalispell, Montana – Mae Nan Ellingson helped write Montana’s Constitution in 1972 as a Republican and now a democrat. It’s considered to be one of the strongest state constitutions in the United States taking power away from the Copper King’s in Butte and giving power to the EPA and pollution laws.
Montana State Constitution which was ratified in 1972 is a model of what a strong state constitution can be and is in jeopardy of being dumped if Montana’s supper majority republican party gets their way in the 2024 elections.
Evergreen, Montana – Evangelist pastor, Bob Thornton, of Restart Church shows a slide of judge Brett Kavanaugh who was sworn in as an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court earlier that week. He said that it’s every Christians obligation help elect fellow Christians with their same goals at every level of government.
Meanwhile, Montana preachers are promoting like-minded Christians to run for election at every level from PTA, city council, judges, state and national political offices.
The separation of church and state is disappearing as churches seek to gain political power. Religion in the US has been designed around robbing women of power. When the conservatively-packed Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, leaving abortions to be decided by each state, women fought back for their individual freedom and power.
Kalispell, Montana – Protestors in front of the Flathead County Courthouse demonstrating after the Supreme Court overturned Roe VS Wade.
Local politicians have created more vulnerability for some people.
Flathead County commissioners posted a public letter denouncing Homelessness as a blight on the city and county at the same time as Kalispell City council passed a laws against helping or giving food, shelter or money to homeless people. Yet they allow the Salvation Army to set up their Red Kettles.
Within weeks, a homeless man was beaten to death by an 18-year-old man as his 17-year-old friend videotaped it and posted it on social media.
Kalispell, Montana – Jesse Green, a homeless man speaks about his friend, Scott Bryan, another homeless man who was beaten to death by a 18 year old man as his friend recorded it and posted it on social media.
The final outcome of my 2024 portfolio will capture a slice of American history that many citizens would rather not talk about. Gaining trust on both sides of this divide will provide an honest and humanistic portrait of the Flathead County as well as the state of Montana communities.
The real nuggets of this project have come from and will continue to come from, boots on the ground work. Documenting the 2024 election cycle in Montana will be an example of what is taking place across flyover American states in a micrcosm.
This political science photo project will mirror or frame the future of rural America. As goes Montana, goes the United States.
Kalispell, Montana – A woman is lead into the water to be baptized as the crowd praise the lord Jesus while John Gabriel Arends and his band play Jesus Rocks music at Foys Lake near Kalispell, Montana.
More than 1,000 people turned out for the “I Can’t Breathe” demonstration at Depot Park near downtown Kalispell, Montana, to protest the murder of George Floyd, an unarmed black man whose death was caught on video in Minneapolis. Hundreds of armed ‘Peacekeepers’ carrying high-powered rifles attended the rally as well, saying they were there to keep the peace. No arrests were made during the event that lasted more than four hours.
Kalispell, Montana – A Flathead County Montana resident casts his vote in the 2020 Presidential Election at the at the election office.
Kalispell, Montana – A group of local Flathead County Montana activists prepare to take a celebratory drive on Main Street in downtown Kalispell after Vice President Joe Biden was announced the winner of the 2020 Presidential Election.
Kalispell, Montana – A man wears a Ruth Bader Ginsburg t-shirt and a Detroit Tigers baseball cap that says “Science Doesn’t Give A Fuck What You Believe at a political rally in Depot Park.
Kalispell, Montana – SUPPORT BANNED BOOKS WEEK – LET FREEDOM READ! The ImagineIf Library Board of Trustees decided that their staff wouldn’t be allowed to put up a display during Banned Books Week this year.
Kalispell, Montana – The Supreme Court over turning Roe V. Wade protest at the Flathead County Courthouse.
Kalispell, Montana – The Handmaids Brigade protesting Roe V Wade being over turned by the Supreme Court in front of The Flathead County Republican Headquarters.
Kalispell, Montana – Flathead County Democrats promote Voters rights and the Montana Constitution in the 4th of July parade.