In Mississippi, as the world grappled with the relentless spread of COVID-19, the quiet devastation of the pandemic was mirrored by the echoes of unrest and the rise of protest. The loss of lives — the first COVID death, the empty graduations, the overwhelmed healthcare workers, and the personal battles, like Bryan Thompson’s struggle after losing his leg due to complications from the Delta variant — became a shared sorrow that connected communities across the state. Yet, in these dark moments, Mississippi also found its voice.

The pandemic was not just a public health crisis but a battleground for justice. In the midst of lockdowns, a call for racial justice surged as protests for George Floyd and others rippled across Mississippi. The state’s Attorney General, Lynn Fitch, made headlines with her decision to drop charges in the case of a police officer who shot Ricky Ball, citing self-defense. This decision fueled protests, making Mississippi a focal point in the larger conversation about policing, racial inequality, and accountability.

From the growing lines at testing sites to the quiet resolve of a child on a school bus masked against an unseen threat, and the resilience of individuals like Thompson, these images are a testament to a state grappling with its own reflection. The photos in this collection tell the story of a state transformed, from the profound loss of loved ones to the fierce fight for justice — a snapshot of Mississippi in a world forever changed.