OBcean’s 1972 Anti-War Arrest Is Part of La Jolla Photo Exhibit

From L to R: Fred Lonidier, Donna Kelly Kent, Bob Bray, Cindy O’Hara, and Bob Edwards. Photo by Frank Gormlie

OBcean Bob Edwards joined a handful of other former anti-Vietnam war activists at a commemoration of a photo exhibit at the La Jolla Museum of Contemporary Art on Tuesday, October 11th. An exhibit by photographer Fred Lonidier, entitled, “29 Arrests” was on display – as Fred had taken Edwards’ photo at the time of his arrest on May 4, 1972 in front of the 11th Naval District headquarters.

“29 Arrests” by Fred Lonidier

Lonidier only had 29 exposures remaining in his camera that day, and so only took the photos of 29 people being arrested. 88 in total were arrested – many of them were sitting down, blocking the entrance to the headquarters as part of a militant protest in response to President Nixon’s heightened bombing of the north during the war in Vietnam.

Fred Lonidier.

Bob Edwards

This week Bob joined 3 others present at the commemoration – all who had their arrests captured by Lonidier back 44 years ago – and they included Bob Bray, Donna Kelly Kent and Cindy O’Hara. O’Hara had been instrumental in locating some of the former arrestees and mobilizing the handful she had found to the event.

Not only was Edwards part of the anti-Vietnam war movement back in the 1970s – he was a student at SDSU at the time – he lived in Ocean Beach and ended up on the staff of the original OB Rag. Bob is currently a registered nurse and works at a local hospital.

Lonidier’s “29 Arrests” was part of a much larger exhibit at the museum – called The Uses of Photography.

During the commemoration, museum curator Jill Dawsey introduced Lonidier and the others whose arrests were part of the subject matter of his display. Although Dawsey didn’t mention it, Lonidier has been considered one of the “movement photographers” over the decades by social activists. And it was no accident that he was present that day back in 1972 during the anti-war protest when so many were arrested.

The show has been on since September 24th and runs until Monday, January 2nd, 2017. MCASD is located at 700 Prospect Street, La Jolla, CA 92037-4291, with phone as 858 454 3541.

Museum of Contemporary Art of La Jolla