Kyle Merrit Ludowitz
Kyle Merrit Ludowitz
Kyle Merrit Ludowitz (born July 10, 1989) is an American photojournalist based in Oakland, California. [undefined]
Experience
Beginning in 2009, Kyle Merrit Ludowitz has document, by photograph and dispatch, critical situations and the human condition in areas such as Syria, Egypt, Israel / Palestine, Myanmar, Cambodia, Kashmir, Thailand, and India. Featuring many crucial stories related to conflict, poverty, child welfare, and woman's rights, his work is found in many publications from around the world. [undefined]
Oakland Protests of Donald Trump's presidential election 2016
On the night of November 9th, 2016, amidst the protests and marches against the idea of a president elected Donald Trump, Kyle took to the streets of downtown Oakland to document the demonstrations. [undefined]
As things got heated, he witnessed a group he refers to as, "Anarchists" breaking private property along business. He snapped photos of their actions breaking windows, looting, and vandalizing in the downtown area. According to his statement, four of the "anarchist" men disrupted him, assaulted and attacked him. [undefined]
The brutal attack left him with a fractured cheekbone and abrasions on his face.
Both of his cameras worth of up to $5,000 were destroyed.
Kyle says: "I was mostly being punched in the face until I fell to the ground.
I tried to protect my gear and they started kicking."
He admits that he had never seen anything like it given his experience as a photographer in regions in the middle east where conflicts are also rampant.
He says:
"I went to the ER, I didn't have a concussion but had a fractured cheekbone and a few cuts and abrasions, swelling and a fat lip... I definitely wasn't expecting this to happen.
I was expecting a stronger stand off between police and protesters.
Definitely not the level of destruction to the city as a whole."
He plans to return to the streets and continue documenting the demonstrations.