The Monongalia Art Center along with West Virginia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs and PSALM: Proud Students Against Land Mines hosted a photo exhibit and art installation, WALK WITHOUT FEAR”, January 13th-February 3rd, 2012. The exhibit consisted of photographs taken in mine-affected regions of Cambodia and Laos by WVCBL/PSALM coordinator, Nora Sheets along with an art installation and artworks by PSALM students. Students designed a simulated mine field complete with mine field “danger” signs and tin cans painted to resemble landmines and cluster bombs. Painted shoes with information about landmines and cluster bombs were hung above the ‘field”. Visitors to the opening viewed photographs of mine clearance teams in Cambodia and Laos as well as survivors and campaigners around the world. The opening reception hosted around 200 visitors. The show was designed to raise awareness about the Mine Ban Treaty and the Convention on Cluster Munitions. The MAC Gallery is located on 144 High Street, Morgantown, West Virginia, USA.
PSALM: PROUD STUDENTS AGAINST LANDMINES and CLUSTER BOMBS/WVCBL: West Virginia Campaign to Ban Landmines and Cluster Bombs are students and citizens committed to educating the public about the devastation caused by landmines and cluster munitions and the indiscriminate nature of these weapons leading to the destruction of innocent life, especially children, after wartime hostilities have ceased. We work to assist victims, to prevent future casualties through our service projects, and contribute to the universal signature of the treaties banning landmines and cluster munitions by ALL countries, especially the United States.
PROJECT PEACEBOMB: PSALM students sold PSALM T-Shirts and PEACEBOMB bracelets to supporters DURING THE OPENING OF OUR EXHIBIT. PROJECT PEACEBOMB combines “human ingenuity and aluminum non-war and war scrap metal to create bracelets that tell a story about their makers and the legacies of our shared history: the Secret War, 1964-1973, during the Vietnam conflict which left Laos the most heavily bombed country per capita in history. At the current rate of removal, it will take an estimated 800 years to clear the unexploded ordnance or UXO. The majority of UXO in Laos are cluster bombs. The US, China, Brazil, and other global leaders have not signed the treaty to ban the production, use, and stockpiling of cluster munitions. Watch the Bombs to Bracelets video on YOUTUBE “Buying Back the Bombs”. To purchase PeaceBomb Bracelets or other items, go to: www.shoparticle22.com
CLUSTER MUNITION COALITION is an international effort to ban the use of cluster munitions: small explosive devices released from cluster bombs and have a very high failure rate. Learn more about Cluster Munitions: www.stopclustermunitions.org
LEGACIES OF WAR is a Washington, DC-based non-profit that works to increase US government funding for the clearance of UXO, in Laos. Visit www.legaciesofwar.org and learn more…sign the petition!
