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Sturgis Motorcyle Rally during the pandemic for the New York Times


Michael Brown, 47, Lemoyne, Neb. “I come to meet up with old friends, people I haven’t seen in forever and a lot of folks I grew up with. Between the beer and the women, this place will make you go broke.” Monica Hartman, 43, La Junta, Colo. “We got married here three years ago, so we come out here every year for our anniversary. We have no concerns — if we are going to get sick, then we’ll get sick.” Thomas Seale, 41, Denver, Colo. “I was worried to come out here this year because of BLM and Antifa. I didn’t want to see anyone get hurt. But I’m not convinced (COVID-19) is real. I think it’s nothing more than the flu. If I die from the virus, it was just meant to be.” Chuck Chamberlain, 57, Loveland, Colo. “I’ve spent every birthday since I was 24 here. My first year was 1986. This is my family. My children come here, my brother comes here, my daughter met her husband here.” Todd Irwin, 53, Union, Neb. “I took my grandma up to be buried with my grandpa in the military cemetery. It was just me and my wife who came out here and did it." Scott Corrolli, 38, Northern Minnesota “We are burying our buddy and putting his plaque on Mt. Rushmore. I don’t have a worry in the world.” Mark Carstensen, Mayor of Sturgis, S.D. “I said back in March, do you want me to build a wall around Sturgis or a wall around South Dakota, because that is the only way we could have stopped them. Holly Sortland, Rapid City, S.D. “We kind of knew what was going to happen. I’ve never seen him so sick.” Funeral notes to Albert Aguirre, 40, Vermillion, S.D. “Sit tight Sturgis! We’re almost there!” Aguirre posted to Facebook on August 7, 2020. He came down with COVID-19 soon after and his body was found in his home on September 10, 2020.

Ben@benjaminrasmussenphoto.com · 720.514.1267