The Cleveland Museum of Art
Collection Online as of December 20, 2025
James Forman, like many of the SNCC field staff, was a powerful stump speaker. Here he works the crowd at the Danville, Virginia mass meeting. An hour later he will be searched by police holding shotguns and automatic weapons
1963, printed later
(American, b. 1942)
Image: 27.9 x 35.6 cm (11 x 14 in.)
Location: Not on view
Did You Know?
In 1960, almost 25% of the residents of Danville, Virginia, were Black people.Description
When local peaceful protests against segregation were met with harsh repression and violence, national organizations sent state and national leaders to their aid. The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) sent its executive secretary James Forman (1928-2005), who was a potent orator. Lyon printed two frames side by side of Forman mid-speech to convey his animation, power, and charisma.- {{cite web|title=James Forman, like many of the SNCC field staff, was a powerful stump speaker. Here he works the crowd at the Danville, Virginia mass meeting. An hour later he will be searched by police holding shotguns and automatic weapons|url=false|author=Danny Lyon|year=1963, printed later|access-date=20 December 2025|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}
Source URL:
https://www.clevelandart.org/art/2023.83