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Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon
Emerson College’s only independent, student-run newspaper since 1947

The Berkeley Beacon
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Rian Nelson

Rian Nelson, Dept. Photo Editor

Rian Nelson (she/her) is a senior journalism major from Aurora, Colorado. She currently serves as deputy photo editor. She is a registered student member of both the Boston Press Photographers Association and the National Association of Press Photographers.

Latest from Rian Nelson
A vendor pulls his cart of Trump merchandise towards the crowds waiting outside the Capital One Arena for President Trump’s rally. Monday, Jan. 20, 2024. (Nick Peace/Beacon Staff)

Trump loyalists ring in a ‘golden age of America’ outside Capitol Building

By Izzy Bryars and Rian Nelson / January 23, 2025

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Huddled in groups, braving extreme cold, and bundled up in mittens and hats, supporters of President Donald Trump stared at phone screens...

Trump supporters watching the inauguration live stream outside of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

[Photo] As a second Trump term unfolds, Emerson watches as future of work sponsorships, DEI hang in balance

By Adam Nuñez, Staff Writer / January 22, 2025

Trump supporters watching the inauguration live stream outside of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

A small crowd gathers around a speaker broadcasting President Trump’s inaugural speech on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Photos: Thousands gather outside Capitol after Trump Inauguration moved indoors

By Nick Peace and Rian Nelson / January 22, 2025

Thousands of people flocked to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 20 for the second presidential inauguration of Donald Trump.  Despite the freezing weather...

The Delta Youth Chorale group from West Monroe, Louisiana, singing to the crowd of Trump supporters in front of the U.S. Capitol on Monday, Jan. 20, 2025. (Nick Peace/Beacon Staff)

As It Happened: Trump moves into White House, signs first executive orders

By Adri Pray, Meg Richards, Rylie Burns, Iselin Bratz, Yogev Toby, DJ Mara, Merritt Hughes, Hannah Brueske and Jordan Pagkalinawan / January 20, 2025
After a freezing cold Inauguration Day in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump and former President Joe Biden participated in a peaceful transfer of power that, four years earlier, the 47th president subverted.
Thousands of Trump supporters gathered outside of Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 as trump gave his inauguration-eve speech.(Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Trump speaks at Inauguration-eve rally

By DJ Mara / January 19, 2025

Thousands of Trump supporters gathered outside of Capital One Arena in downtown Washington, D.C. on Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 as trump gave his inauguration-eve...

Junior guard Jacob Armant drives for a layup against the MIT Engineers on Jan. 16, 2025 (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff).

[Photo] Men’s basketball ends losing skid with 87-73 win over MIT

By Jordan Pagkalinawan / January 19, 2025

Emerson men's basketball head coach Bill Curley draws up a play during a timeout against MIT (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff).

A group of children hold signs in support of the teachers at West Parish Elementary School on strike outside of Gloucester City Hall. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] 100 of the best photos from Beacon photographers in 2024

By Arthur Mansavage, Photography Editor / December 28, 2024

A group of children hold signs in support of the teachers at West Parish Elementary School on strike outside of Gloucester City Hall. (Rian Nelson/Beacon...

Visitors watching skaters at the Frog Pond in the Boston Commons on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Boston Common Frog Pond ice rink welcomes skaters for the season

By Madalyn Jimiera, Beacon Correspondent / December 11, 2024

Guests skating at the Frog Pond in the Boston Commons on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Werthe by Jem’s final model walks down the runway. Based in Brockton, Mass., Werthe focuses on size and offers high-fashion clothing. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: 2024 Boston Fashion Awards celebrates Massachusetts designers

By Rian Nelson, Staff Photographer / November 15, 2024

On Nov. 11th, the Boston Fashion Awards brought the Massachusetts fashion industry together to celebrate the best models, salons, photographers, and more....

Teachers and other educational staff on strike wave as cars honk in support. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Teacher strike in Gloucester

By Rian Nelson / November 12, 2024

Teachers at West Parish Elementary School in Gloucester gathered Friday morning—not to head in to teach but to go on strike.  On Thursday night,...

Thousands fill the banks of the Charles River cheering passing teams during the final day of the regatta. (Arthur Mansavage/ Beacon Staff)

Photos: Thousands of athletes and fans take on the 2024 Head Of The Charles Regatta

By Madla Walsh, Nick Peace, Arthur Mansavage, Rian Nelson, Shannon Clark and Bryan Hecht / October 21, 2024
The world’s largest three-day rowing event drew over 12,000 rowers and thousands of spectators to the banks of the Charles River over the weekend.
The rally held in Boston Public Garden on Oct. 7 was hosted by IfNotNow, an American Jewish led organization which according to their website hopes to, “end U.S. support for Israel's apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis" (Rian Nelson / Beacon Staff)

[Photo] ‘Every death is a universe destroyed:’ Oct. 7 memorial for Israeli and Palestinian lives lost

By Merritt Hughes and Sam Shipman / October 9, 2024

A sign reading “Palestinian and Jewish safety and are intertwined” sits on the perimeter of the audience, below two poppies—an international symbol...

Across from the Boylston St. station was a memorial for the over 1,000 Israeli people killed on Oct. 7 by Hamas. This date marks a year since the beginning of this most recent upheaval in violence in the Gaza strip, resulting in over 40,000 Palestinian deaths (Rian Nelson / Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Jewish community members hold memorial on Boston Common to mourn lives lost on Oct. 7

By Merritt Hughes and Hannah Nguyen / October 8, 2024

Community members held signs showing to raise awareness for the alleged sexual violence on October 7 (Rian Nelson / Beacon Staff)

Pro-Palestinian protesters during the Sept. 12, 2024 demonstration were mainly concerned over Emerson’s usage of ADL (Anti-Defamation League) programming. (Rian Nelson/ Beacon Staff)

Pro-Palestinian demonstrators march through Boston to protest ADL presence on college campuses

By Hannah Nguyen, Madla Walsh and Rian Nelson / September 12, 2024

More than 100 pro-Palestinian demonstrators marched through downtown Boston Thursday afternoon to protest college campuses for working with the Anti-Defamation...

Sticky notes on wall of Ansin Building put up by protesters on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] DEVELOPING STORY: The latest on 2 Boylston Place ‘Popular University Encampment’

By Sophia Pargas, Hannah Nguyen, Olivia LeDuc, DJ Mara, Merritt Hughes, Bryan Hecht, Sam Shipman, Iselin Bratz and Katherine Cressman / April 25, 2024

Sticky notes on wall of Ansin Building put up by protesters on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

A few healthcare professionals position themselves at the front of the human chain advocating for the student’s right to protection, and peaceful protest, in the face of police presence on Friday, April 26, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff).

[Photo] Photos: Inside the erratic final hours of the Northeastern Gaza Solidarity encampment

By Bryan Hecht and Sam Shipman / April 30, 2024

Pro-Israeli counter-protesters station themselves in front of the human chain, holding an Israeli flag and shouting statements at the crowd before being...

Juwaria, executive vice president of SGA and SJP organizer, speaks with Vice President and Dean Jim Hoppe before town hall starts on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Presidents, union recognitions, and protests: These are the top Beacon stories of 2024

By DJ Mara and Adri Pray / December 27, 2024

Juwaria, executive vice president of SGA and SJP organizer, speaks with Vice President and Dean Jim Hoppe before town hall starts on Monday, April 29,...

Eric Alexander, chair of the Board of Trustees, yells “Back the fuck up” at Bryan Edouard, a student speaker at the town hall, on Monday, April 29, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] ‘History will remember where you stand’: Students, faculty, staff testify at town hall regarding April 25 arrests

April 29, 2024

Eric Alexander, chair of the Board of Trustees, yells “Back the fuck up” at Bryan Edouard, a student speaker at the town hall, on Monday, April 29,...

SGA unanimously votes no confidence in Bernhardt and officially calls for his resignation

[Photo] SGA unanimously votes no confidence in Bernhardt and officially calls for his resignation

By Katherine Cressman / April 26, 2024

A student shares their experience of arrest at the meeting on Friday, April 26, 2024, holding a friend's hand for support as their voice quivers. (Rian...

Police create a barricade at each end of Boylston Street from Piano Row to the Little Building and continue to arrest students on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] Emerson College amongst nationwide movement of college encampments protesting war in Gaza

April 26, 2024

Police create a barricade at each end of Boylston Street from Piano Row to the Little Building and continue to arrest students on Thursday, April 25, 2024....

Emerson encampment: A look at connection and chaos

[Photo] Emerson encampment arrests: A look at moments of connection and chaos

April 25, 2024

Students stand shoulder to shoulder as they wait for the police to arrive on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Emerson encampment: A look at connection and chaos

[Photo] Emerson encampment arrests: A look at moments of connection and chaos

By Bryan Hecht, Sam Shipman and Iselin Bratz / April 25, 2024

*Consent was given to publish this photo unredacted by subject* Police drag a student protestor away on Thursday, April 25, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)...

A runner pours a beer over his head right before the finish line to celebrate during the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Photos: Boston Marathon is more than a ‘race’

By Ashlyn Wang, Rian Nelson, Madla Walsh and Annie Zhou / April 21, 2024

The eagerly anticipated 128th Boston Marathon brought nearly 30,000 runners from more than 100 countries to Massachusetts on Monday, April 15. Hundreds...

More than 30,000 runners from over 100 countries are registered to run in the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

[Photo] 2024 Boston Marathon: Stories racing to and beyond the finish line

By Hannah Nguyen, Olivia LeDuc, Rumsha Siddiqui, DJ Mara, Sam Shipman, Bryan Hecht and Emma Siebold / April 15, 2024

More than 30,000 runners from over 100 countries are registered to run in the 128th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Staff)

Defense rallies for Wikileaks founder in Boston

[Photo] Boston Assange Defense rallies for Wikileaks founder ahead of his London trial

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / February 28, 2024

Susan Mortimer addresses the crowd of protestors on the harsh treatment of Julian Assange in prison. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Correspondent)

A group of performers arrive in front of the Taiwan Café, a Chinatown catering business, while lion dancers bow three times in gratitude as the restaurant offers oranges and cabbages to “feed” them. (Ashlyn Wang/Beacon Staff)

Photos: Ringing in the Year of the Dragon in Boston’s Chinatown

By Ashlyn Wang and Rian Nelson / February 26, 2024

The air reverberated with the crackle of firecrackers and the echoing cadence of drumbeats and gongs. Amidst the bustling and vibrant ambience, hundreds...

Performers present a dragon dance on Harrison Avenue during the parade in Boston’s Chinatown. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Correspondent)

[Photo] Chinatown lights up with colorful costumes and fireworks for Lunar New Year Parade

February 21, 2024

Performers present a dragon dance on Harrison Avenue during the parade in Boston’s Chinatown. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Correspondent)

Performers present a dragon dance on Harrison Avenue during the parade in Boston’s Chinatown. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Correspondent)

[Photo] Chinatown lights up with colorful costumes and fireworks for Lunar New Year Parade

By Bryan Hecht, Assistant News Editor / February 21, 2024

The crowd watches the lion dance performance in front of a business in Boston's Chinatown on Sunday, Feb. 18, 2024. (Rian Nelson/Beacon Correspondent)

Ryan Binkley (R-TX) speaks with supporters after a campaign rally at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Rian Nelson for the Beacon)

[Photo] 2024 Iowa Caucuses narrow the Republican playing field

By DJ Mara, Assistant News Editor / January 24, 2024

Ryan Binkley (R-TX) speaks with supporters after a campaign rally at the Des Moines Airport Holiday Inn on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2024. (Rian Nelson for the...