A-Infos (en) US, MEDIA, Kansas Anarchists raise money by selling nude calendar

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When the idea came up, it was a joke. Members of (the Lawrence
Anarchist Community) thought it would be funny to get naked for a
calendar. The joke turned serious when the anarchists realized it
would be a way to raise funds for their cause.
Now the (Lawrence Anarchist's have) a 2004 calendar filled with
photos of members doing everything from leaning over a dumpster to
welding — all while partially or fully nude.
“We’re a group of people who are really comfortable with
ourselves and each other,” said Vanessa Hays, Topeka junior.
“Who don’t view our bodies as negative or obscene.”

Along with black and white photographs, the calendar contains a
suggested reading list, Web site list and dates important to
anarchism.

Wesley Teal, Lawrence resident and one of July’s models, said
most of the subjects were friends.

“It was a fun way for us to build money for our community and
different projects we do,” he said.

The photographs were shot in March. Hays said the models chose
their own settings, props and how much to reveal.

“We don’t feel objectified simply because we are being looked
at,” read the calendar’s introduction. “We think our bodies
are beautiful and that being naked is natural and not a cause for
embarrassment.”

Hays said the (recent Lawrence anarchist) movement started six to
seven years ago when people began meeting at local coffee shops.
Hays said there were 25 to 30 active (people involved with organizing
in the Lawrence anarchist community).

Events raised funds for the creation of the Solidarity! Revolutionary
Center and Radical Library at 13 W. 14th St. Since Aug. 1, it has been
a meeting place for anarchists and contains a bike shop, darkroom,
public Internet access and union-owned-and-operated screen printing
shop.

Hays said (the Lawrence anarchist community) is made up of
University of Kansas students, high school students, members from
the Lawrence Coalition for Peace and Justice, activists from the
1960s and Lawrence residents. She said most are between the ages of
18 and 35.

“We work to dually create community and spread knowledge while
at the same time trying to dismantle current power structures that are
oppressing people,” Hays said.

The 2004 Naked Kansas Anarchist Calendar costs $8 each or $6 each
for 10 or more. To buy a copy of the calendar call (785) 843-1105.

Copied from Infoshop.org


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