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My name is Michelle Riley, and for the past five months, I’ve poured my heart, soul, and every ounce of energy into defending America’s visual history.
Because right now, powerful forces are working to erase it.
Photographs are more than just images. They are stories. They are memories. They are proof. They are the record of who we are. And when they vanish, so does our history.
This year, the truth has come under unprecedented attack:
- The Pentagon deleted tens of thousands of historic military photos.
- An Executive Order pressured museums to censor exhibits on racism.
- The White House ordered the Smithsonian to sanitize 8 museums in 120 days.
These are not isolated incidents. They are part of a coordinated effort to control the story of who we are as a nation — and erase the parts that don’t fit a political agenda.
When my LinkedIn post about the DOD photo purge went viral in March, I knew I couldn’t stay on the sidelines. I had to fight back.
So I launched Visual Truth Matters — a national, nonpartisan grassroots campaign fighting back against all government-led efforts to erase our visual history.
Since then, I’ve been running the campaign full-time, funding it myself through my nonprofit photography consulting business, Lens for Change.
Here’s what I’ve already invested in to bring this campaign to life:
- A professional campaign website to showcase initiatives and mobilize supporters
- Infrastructure for a new people-powered public archive of our visual history
- Professional photography documenting a historic event for veterans
- Travel to rallies and protests to raise awareness and build partnerships
- Insurance so this work can be done boldly and without fear of censorship
This is the most meaningful work of my life — and I’ve put everything I have into it because I believe this is a fight that can’t wait.
But right now, the campaign is at risk, and I need your help to keep it alive.
At this point, my business bank account is nearly empty, my credit card is maxed, and I have an urgent bill due this month — tied directly to the work I’ve already invested in.
I can’t cover it without help, and if it goes unpaid, the momentum we’ve built — and the critical work already underway — will come to a halt.
I’m working hard to secure institutional funding and a fiscal sponsor, but those partnerships take time. And this bill is due now.
I hate asking for money. But I believe in this mission too deeply to let it stall.
If you’ve ever been moved by a photograph…
If you believe our history belongs to all of us…
If you believe the truth is worth protecting…
Then I’m asking you, from the bottom of my heart: please donate today.
Even the smallest contribution will help me pay this bill and keep Visual Truth Matters alive at this critical moment.
Together, we can protect the story of America, in all its complexity, and safeguard the truth for generations to come.
Thank you so much for your support.
Michelle Riley
Founder, Visual Truth Matters
Organizer
