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Our favorite photos, videos of 2017

WHYY photographers look back on a turbulent year.

  • Prentice Bush raises his fist as he joins a crowd of hundreds protesting right-wing extremism at a march in Philadelphia, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

    Prentice Bush raises his fist as he joins a crowd of hundreds protesting right-wing extremism at a march in Philadelphia, on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Thomas Dintino, 16, (left) and his mother Karen, from Marlton, New Jersey, applaud as Donald Trump is sworn in as president while Dashiell Ward, 15, of Philadelphia, looks away. About 50 people watched the inauguration on the big screen at the National Constitution Center. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Thomas Dintino, 16, (left) and his mother Karen, from Marlton, New Jersey, applaud as Donald Trump is sworn in as president while Dashiell Ward, 15, of Philadelphia, looks away. About 50 people watched the inauguration on the big screen at the National Constitution Center. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Protesters block traffic on Arch Street near City Hall during an Inauguration Day march through Center City.. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Protesters block traffic on Arch Street near City Hall during an Inauguration Day march through Center City.. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Protesters fill the Ben Franklin Parkway during the Women's March on Philadelphia on Janaury 21, 2017. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

    Protesters fill the Ben Franklin Parkway during the Women's March on Philadelphia on Janaury 21, 2017. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

  • Leigh Wilson and Nate Hall protest President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration at Philadelphia International Airport. Wilson says it is the fourth anti-trump protest she has attended. (Branden Eastwood for WHYY)

    Leigh Wilson and Nate Hall protest President Donald Trump's executive order on immigration at Philadelphia International Airport. Wilson says it is the fourth anti-trump protest she has attended. (Branden Eastwood for WHYY)

  • The City of Philadelphia and Conrail announce that they will work together to clean and secure the Conrail property in the Fairhill-Kensington neighborhood long used as a campground for heroin addicts. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    The City of Philadelphia and Conrail announce that they will work together to clean and secure the Conrail property in the Fairhill-Kensington neighborhood long used as a campground for heroin addicts. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Members from the local Jewish community are joined by members of the Philadelphia chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Center and others as they try to put upright headstones that were vandalized at Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetary in Northeast Philadelphia. The vandalism was seen as part of a growing trend of anti-semitism sweeping the United States. More than 500 headstones were toppled and broken overnight February 26, 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

    Members from the local Jewish community are joined by members of the Philadelphia chapter of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Center and others as they try to put upright headstones that were vandalized at Mount Carmel Jewish Cemetary in Northeast Philadelphia. The vandalism was seen as part of a growing trend of anti-semitism sweeping the United States. More than 500 headstones were toppled and broken overnight February 26, 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • A women praisies President Trump during a prayer as hundreds attend a pro-Trump rally hosted by People4Trump, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on March 4, 2017. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

    A women praisies President Trump during a prayer as hundreds attend a pro-Trump rally hosted by People4Trump, in Bensalem, Pennsylvania, on March 4, 2017. (Bastiaan Slabbers for NewsWorks)

  • Viktor, an undocumented immigrant from Belarus seeking asylum in the U.S, strums a bass guitar. He left Belarus with a bandmate and hopes to play music again if he is able to attain legal status. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

    Viktor, an undocumented immigrant from Belarus seeking asylum in the U.S, strums a bass guitar. He left Belarus with a bandmate and hopes to play music again if he is able to attain legal status. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

  • J. Justin Ragsdale holds up antique slave shackles during a demonstration on the conditions inside slave ships during the 2017 Black History and Culture Showcase in Philadelphia

    J. Justin Ragsdale holds up antique slave shackles during a demonstration on the conditions inside slave ships during the 2017 African-American History and Culture Showcase in Philadelphia. (Branden Eastwood/for WHYY)

  • Members of The Old Guard, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, march down Chestnut Avenue to the Museum of the American Revolution for the grand opening of the museum on April 19, 2017. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Members of The Old Guard, 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, march down Chestnut Avenue to the Museum of the American Revolution for the grand opening of the museum on April 19, 2017. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Redina Rodriguez and her daughter, Jordyn share a laugh during a reunion at a hotel in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Katie Colaneri/WHYY)

    Redina Rodriguez and her daughter, Jordyn share a laugh during a reunion at a hotel in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Katie Colaneri/WHYY)

  • Three-year-old Robert Wilson IV accompanied by his mother, Crystal Faisson, places a white carnation beside his father's name at the Living Flame memorial at Franklin Square. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Three-year-old Robert Wilson IV accompanied by his mother, Crystal Faisson, places a white carnation beside his father's name at the Living Flame memorial at Franklin Square. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • A large contingent of immigrants from Mexico and other Spansih-speaking countries participate in a May Day march in Philadelphia focused on President Donald Trump's immigration policies. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    A large contingent of immigrants from Mexico and other Spansih-speaking countries participate in a May Day march in Philadelphia focused on President Donald Trump's immigration policies. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Philadelphia police officer Karen Baldini demonstrates the use of a naloxone nasal spray to revive overdosing heroin users. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

    Philadelphia police officer Karen Baldini demonstrates the use of a naloxone nasal spray to revive overdosing heroin users. (Tom MacDonald/WHYY)

  • The Urban Guerilla Orchestra perorm the song

    The Urban Guerilla Orchestra perorm the song "At Last" during the Celebration of Black Arts awards ceremony. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

  • Rob Leef rides down Norris Street in his Reptilikus costume during the Philadelphia Kinetic Sculpture Derby. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

    Rob Leef rides down Norris Street in his Reptilikus costume during the Philadelphia Kinetic Sculpture Derby. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

  • The hand of William Penn hovers above Philadelphia, a view made possible by scaffolding that has been erected to clean and repair the statue atop City Hall. (Peter Crimmins/WHYY)

    The hand of William Penn hovers above Philadelphia, a view made possible by scaffolding that has been erected to clean and repair the statue atop City Hall. (Peter Crimmins/WHYY)

  • Javier Flores embraces his son, Javier, 5. Under threat of deportation, Flores, a father of three, found sanctuary at Arch Street United Methodist Church for more than 10 months. He left on Oct. 11, 2017, when authorities decided to defer action while his visa application is considered. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Javier Flores embraces his son, Javier, 5. Under threat of deportation, Flores, a father of three, found sanctuary at Arch Street United Methodist Church for more than 10 months. He left on Oct. 11, 2017, when authorities decided to defer action while his visa application is considered. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • A woman carries offerings for the river goddess Oshun at the begining of the Philadelphia Odunde Festival. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

    A woman carries offerings for the river goddess Oshun at the begining of the Philadelphia Odunde Festival. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • Boyz II Men with their newly unveiled Boyz II Men Boulevard signs stand in front of their alma mater the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks) II Men

    Boyz II Men with their newly unveiled Boyz II Men Boulevard signs stand in front of their alma mater the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks) II Men

  • Two sisters watch Eid al-Fitr festivities at Clara Muhammad Square in Philadelphia Sunday, June 25, 2017. (Annie Risemberg for Newsworks)

    Two sisters watch Eid al-Fitr festivities at Clara Muhammad Square in Philadelphia Sunday, June 25, 2017. (Annie Risemberg for Newsworks)

  • Employees of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office gather to hear about Seth Williams' resignation and his mid-trial guilty plea to corruption charges. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Employees of the Philadelphia District Attorney's Office gather to hear about Seth Williams' resignation and his mid-trial guilty plea to corruption charges. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • The Bearded Ladies Cabaret performed their 23rd annual colorful retelling of the French Revolution’s storming of the Bastille, mixing in modern day topical references, at the Eastern State Penitentiary, July 15, 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

    The Bearded Ladies Cabaret performed their 23rd annual colorful retelling of the French Revolution’s storming of the Bastille, mixing in modern day topical references, at the Eastern State Penitentiary, July 15, 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • Teenagers take turns jumping into the Musconetcong river just below the Asbury Mill Dam. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Teenagers take turns jumping into the Musconetcong river just below the Asbury Mill Dam. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Philadelphia police stand guard over the Frank Rizzo statue at Thomas Paine Plaza after it was egged by vandals. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Philadelphia police stand guard over the Frank Rizzo statue at Thomas Paine Plaza after it was egged by vandals. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Keith Grabowski waves his napkin before dinner at Diner en Blanc in Franklin Square on August 17, 2017. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

    Keith Grabowski waves his napkin before dinner at Diner en Blanc in Franklin Square on August 17, 2017. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

  • Audience members form a conga line as Baile An Salsa performs on the stage at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. (Jonathan Wilson for Newsworks)

    Audience members form a conga line as Baile An Salsa performs on the stage at the Philadelphia Folk Festival. (Jonathan Wilson for Newsworks)

  • Shakur Montgomery, 29, of North Philadelphia stops in at the Wagner Free Institute of Science in North Philadelphia to view and learn about the 2017 partial eclipse of the sun on Monday August 21, 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

    Shakur Montgomery, 29, of North Philadelphia stops in at the Wagner Free Institute of Science in North Philadelphia to view and learn about the 2017 partial eclipse of the sun on Monday August 21, 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • Cai Guo-Qiang was commissioned by the Association for the Public Art to create a kinetic art piece that interacted with the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in honor of its centennial in 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

    Cai Guo-Qiang was commissioned by the Association for the Public Art to create a kinetic art piece that interacted with the Benjamin Franklin Parkway in honor of its centennial in 2017. (Emily Cohen for NewsWorks)

  • An eager crowd surrounds the statue of Octavius Catto after its unveilling on the Southwest apron of City Hall. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    An eager crowd surrounds the statue of Octavius Catto after its unveilling on the Southwest apron of City Hall. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Hundreds marched down Kensington Avenue for the March in Black in rememberance of those who have died from opioid overdoses. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

    Hundreds marched down Kensington Avenue for the March in Black in rememberance of those who have died from opioid overdoses. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

  • A Pine Island Cranberry worker waits for the arrival of a truck to begin the harvest. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    A Pine Island Cranberry worker waits for the arrival of a truck to begin the harvest. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Overdose victims are remembered during the Regional Candlelight Vigil on October 14, 2017 at Camden Waterfront Stadium. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

    Overdose victims are remembered during the Regional Candlelight Vigil on October 14, 2017 at Camden Waterfront Stadium. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Police clash with protestors at the Frank Rizzo statue, outside Philadelphia City Hall, on October 21, 2017. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

    Police clash with protestors at the Frank Rizzo statue, outside Philadelphia City Hall, on October 21, 2017. (Bastiaan Slabbers for WHYY)

  • Kevin Brinkley (left) listens to an apology from attorney Gerald Dugan, who 40 years ago prosecuted the murder case that got Brinkley a life sentence. Dugan has since changed his mind about Brinkley's role in the murder of Charles Haag. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    Kevin Brinkley (left) listens to an apology from attorney Gerald Dugan, who 40 years ago prosecuted the murder case that got Brinkley a life sentence. Dugan has since changed his mind about Brinkley's role in the murder of Charles Haag. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Samantha Garcia, 10, embraces her heritage at Penn Museum's annual Day of the Dead celebration October 28th 2017. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

    Samantha Garcia, 10, embraces her heritage at Penn Museum's annual Day of the Dead celebration October 28th 2017. (Emily Cohen for WHYY)

  • The Rose City Rollers of Portland, Oregon faced off against the Victorian Roller Derby League in the final championship game at the WFTDA International Championships at the Liacouras Center on November 5, 2017.. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)

    The Rose City Rollers of Portland, Oregon faced off against the Victorian Roller Derby League in the final championship game at the WFTDA International Championships at the Liacouras Center on November 5, 2017.. (Brad Larrison for WHYY)

  • District attorney candidate Larry Krasner (left) stops for a shoe shine at Reading Terminal Market while campaigning on the eve of the 2017 election. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

    District attorney candidate Larry Krasner (left) stops for a shoe shine at Reading Terminal Market while campaigning on the eve of the 2017 election. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Protesters demanding protected bike lanes form a human barrier stretching for two blocks along Spruce Street near 11th Street, where a cyclist was killed by a garbage truck the previous morning.

    Protesters demanding protected bike lanes form a human barrier stretching for two blocks along Spruce Street near 11th Street, where a cyclist was killed by a garbage truck the previous morning. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • After opening a sliding plexiglass door, Nasifa Erwin pours a shot for a customer at Olney Steak and Beer on North Broad Street. Such

    After opening a sliding plexiglass door, Nasifa Erwin pours a shot for a customer at Olney Steak and Beer on North Broad Street. Such "stop-and-gos" have come under fire in City Council, which wants to regulate them. Emma Lee/WHYY)

  • Friends who identified themselves as Waldo, (left) and Koryn (center) participate in the No Pants Subway Ride on the Broad Street Line, January 8, 2017. (Jonathan Wilson for Newsworks)

    Friends who identified themselves as Waldo, (left) and Koryn (center) participate in the No Pants Subway Ride on the Broad Street Line, January 8, 2017. (Jonathan Wilson for Newsworks)

2017 was a year of conflict. Protesters thronged the streets of Philadelphia in response to immigration policy, civil rights abuses, threats to the environment, and the opioid epidemic. Flip through the photo gallery above for some of the best snapshots of 2017.

WHYY News took a deeper look at these issues. A team of reporters met with undocumented immigrants from around the world for the series Life Unauthorized. Photographers faced the challenge of revealing their subjects’ personalities without revealing their identities.

Viktor, an undocumented immigrant from Belarus seeking asylum in the U.S, strums a bass guitar. He left Belarus with a bandmate and hopes to play music again if he is able to attain legal status.
Viktor, an undocumented immigrant from Belarus seeking asylum in the U.S, strums a bass guitar. He left Belarus with a bandmate and hopes to play music again if he is able to attain legal status. (Brad Larrison for NewsWorks)

WHYY’s Katie Colaneri told the story of a woman’s struggles to restart her life after serving a prison term. Redina’s Story chronicles her struggles with addiction as she searches for a place to live, finds employment and tries to reunite with her teenage daughter.

Redina Rodriguez and her daughter, Jordyn share a laugh during a reunion at a hotel in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Redina Rodriguez and her daughter Jordyn share a laugh during a reunion at a hotel in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. (Katie Colaneri/WHYY)

WHYY continues to look at the challenges of preserving the Delaware River Watershed, tackling such diverse issues as sea level rise and the impact of fracking on water quality.

Teenagers take turns jumping into the Musconetcong river just below the Asbury Mill Dam.
Teenagers take turns jumping into the Musconetcong River in New Jersey, just below the Asbury Mill Dam. (Emma Lee/WHYY)

Videographer Kim Paynter toured the Colored Girls Museum in Northwest Philadelphia in May during an installation called “A Good Nights’s Sleep.” Caretaker and curator Vashti DuBois said “ we’re losing sleep over the future of health care, we’re losing sleep over the future of education, we’re losing sleep over the safety of our children, our streets, our institutions, what will happen to the arts in our country, lost girls and lost boys.”

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Paynter visited the Icebox Project Space in North Philadelphia in April to record 14 local musicians and artists who were recruited to play a collection of gongs using bows for an original composition by percussionist and conductor Tatsuya Nakatani.

When WHYY’s Joel Wolfram reported on doctors at a pediatric clinic in Wilmington who were looking for ways to treat preoperative anxiety in their patients without the use of a sedative, Paynter documented 4-year-old D’Juan Roane-Kirby’s experience driving himself to the operating room in a battery-powered miniature car.

In September, SpArc Services Cultural Arts Center in Philadelphia staged a Fringe Festival performance. SpArc provides services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. WHYY got a behind-the-scenes look at participants collaborating with the SpArc arts staff on the costumes, sets, story, and music for the performance.

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