photo credits: Alice Stevens © 2003
Big Bend Bushes For Peace
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February 6, 2003 -- Ruidosa, TX -- Braving prickly pear, javelinas and the desert
sun, 20 women of the Big Bend area in Texas stripped their clothing and declared
their vote for peace. Using their nude bodies, the women formed the letters
of "PEACE" in a dry river bed outside of Riudosa, TX at Chinati Hot
Springs.
This was the first of it's kind to happen in Texas -- the land of George W.
Bush.
The group, from small towns in sparsely populated far west Texas, included an
eight and half months pregnant school teacher.
Also involved were an internationally-known choreographer, retired editor from
Washington, D.C., several artists, three school teachers, a poet, a legal assistant
and one woman who drove 12 hours to participate. The photographer was a local
businesswoman who is well known in the area for shooting landscapes.
The women formed the letters of "PEACE" as it might flow down the
river.
"The symbolism is we hope peace can flow from our action to other people
in the Big Bend and to our leaders worldwide," said the organizer of the
event, a new media designer from Marfa.
The event has spurred talk of peace in the area small towns. Every Wednesday
at noon in Marfa, peace activists meet on the courthouse lawn for silent meditation
and prayers. The Big Bend area is considered one of the most remote areas in
the continental United States. All of the participating women drove over two
hours for the photo.
"We may be isolated and remote, but we are very aware of what is going
on in the world -- and we care," said the organizer.
The action was inspired by the Baring
Witness' similar demonstrations in California and all over the world.
"We are upset by the United States' proposed naked aggression against Iraq,"
said the organizer.
"This is one thing we can do to show the severity of the situation."
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For more information, please contact buck johnston.
Much thanks, love and peace to Alice Stevens and all the participants.
I have met soul sisters.