Over a quarter-century, photographer William Meyers has chronicled the streets, neighborhoods, and public institutions of New York City, creating a visual archive that reflects the broader American experience. His latest collection, titled Civics and published by Apollo Books, encompasses images taken between 1991 and 2026, coinciding with the United States’ 250th anniversary.
Meyers focuses on the mundane yet vital acts of civic participation that underpin democracy. The work includes scenes from Fourth of July celebrations in Riverside Park, Black Lives Matter demonstrations on the Upper West Side, and a People’s Climate March in Central Park. It also captures intimate moments of public service, such as strangers aiding an epileptic man at a Brooklyn subway station and voters engaging with political candidates in Queens and Harlem.
Nicole Gelinas, who wrote an essay for the book, noted that Meyers’s photographs challenge the idea that civics is a relic of the past. She argued that the images demonstrate how a functioning society relies on citizens repeatedly showing up to define their priorities and collaborate toward shared goals.
Among the striking images is a photo of a giant rat sculpture on Madison Avenue, which Meyers described as capturing the surreal quality of the city. Another feature highlights a special election in Rego Park held to replace a congressman who resigned following a sex scandal, illustrating the complex relationship between constituents and their representatives.
Meyers also documented the intersection of commerce and symbolism through images of Statue of Liberty souvenirs sold in Times Square. He observed that while these replicas are often manufactured in China, they remain potent emblems of American ideals, echoing historical moments such as the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.
Additional photographs showcase the machinery of local government, including a town hall meeting organized by Councilwoman Helen Rosenthal where residents could confront officials from various city departments. Other images depict weddings at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau and city council hearings at City Hall, emphasizing the diverse ways New Yorkers interact with public life. The collection serves as both a historical record and a reflection on the resilience of community engagement during a period of heightened political and social tension.
Twenty-five years is a long time to document. Does the book include any photos from the post-2020 era specifically?
I love that he captured the subway moment too. Real civics isn’t just politics, it’s neighbors helping neighbors.