Occupy’s 84-year-old pepper spray victim: Is this the most iconic image of the movement?

Washing Post ^ | 11/16/2011 | Maura Judkis

[Responsibility2nd]

When Occupy marched in downtown Seattle on Tuesday night, a priest, a pregnant teenager and an 84-year-old community activist were doused in pepper spray. Although there have been many striking images of violence and peace in Occupy encampments, and many faces of the movement, none may be as immediately striking as this image of Dorli Rainey, taken by Joshua Trujillo.
Seattle activist Dorli Rainey, 84, reacts after being hit with pepper spray during an Occupy Seattle protest on Nov. 15 at Westlake Park in Seattle. (Joshua Trujillo - AP)

Rainey’s direct gaze at the camera as her face drips with pepper spray is a haunting, cinematic image of brutality, emphasized even more by the chiaroscuro of dark gloved hands holding her head up to lead her to safety. Dashiell Bennett of the Atlantic has speculated that this image may become the defining one of Occupy unrest.

Rainey, a community activist since the ’60s, decided to walk by the protest on her way to a transportation meeting in the Northgate neighborhood of Seattle.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

My guess is that the fluid running down her face is milk.

Since pepper spray is probably mostly capsaicin, the antidote is dairy product. Someone probably did the smart thing and splashed her face with it. Pepper spray isn't usually milky looking in composition.

[Mad Dawg]

IMHO this is a crock.

If she’s dripping pepper spray in that photo, I’ll buy everyone a beer.

If she were hit with that much pepper spray she’d be on the ground.

[dk88]

Of course it is, fine by me if it’s the ‘iconic’ photo of this BS.

And at least she’s way tougher than the pansies here in Portland.

‘There’s no fool like an old fool.’

[Space Patrol Hoppa]

Qui s’y frotte s’y pique, Mamán.

[Mad Dawg]

An AMBULANCE? For PEPPER SPRAY?

Give me a break.

[cvq3842]

I am convulsing with laughter - and I think you may be right.

[SENTINEL]

This is fake. She wouldn't have her eyes open like that, and they don't even appear to be red.

Was it "free love" night again ?

[Palladin]

Oh...I thought it was Gloria Steinem.

What a hag!

[The Toll]

All she wants is for everyone else to pay for what she wants. Hit her again!

[verity]

“a priest, a pregnant teenager and an 84-year-old community activist”...walk into a bar and.....:-)

[rollo tomasi]

Correct, probably milk to offset the spray, but I would not be proud of trespassing/disturbing the peace. The OWS knew their boundaries and the lady got what she deserved.

When you play with fire with the rights of other people, expect to get burned not matter the age, sex, race, or creed. Revolutions are ugly and if you want to participate expect to hurt a lot. What do these people expect, a total subservience by "the people" trying to get home?

[dalereed]

Instead of pepper, spray them with bullets!

[jjsheridan5]

Wow. Most people stop being an idiot by the time they are 24. But 84? Talk about “stuck on stupid.”

[sten]

Iconic image of the 'movement'

A liberal is born

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

The OWS knew their boundaries and the lady got what she deserved.

The article states the woman was not part of the protest but was walking by to observe what it was all about. I guess she found out.

[Poison Pill]

No way in hell did that battle axe just take a shot of pepper spray to the face!

[packrat35]

I feel nothing for her. She’s a professional protestor from the 60’s and asked for it when the cops were clearing out the park.

[Boogieman]

Her eyes look red as hell to me.

[Boogieman]

I don't she was just "walking by". It says she was an community activist (fellow traveller) from the 60's, and she decided to "walk by" the protest. Sounds to me like she is trying to play innocent bystander after the fact, but she was probably in it up to her elbows.

[HereInTheHeartland]

Stupid has no age limit.