Onlookers flock to naked demonstration
Admin says free speech protects participants
Kevin Muller
Issue date: 5/1/08 Section: News
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The April 30 event drew over a hundred observers at 1:30 p.m.
Senior Tori DiPietro, a member of the naked peace sign, called it, "An injection of peace into the daily conundrum," and hoped that people would recognize it as, "an artistic expression of what's important."
In a meeting on Monday, April 28 to discuss the event, participants said the sign was not intended to protest any specific conflict but rather to promote awareness and discussion of peace and what an individual would do to achieve it.
The idea dates back to 2002, when artist Donna Sheenan and 50 of her friends laid nude to form the word "PEACE" in California. Since then, groups around the world have followed suit.
Sophomore John Whelehan first suggested the idea to the now-defunct group Students for a Peaceable Solution in Iraq last semester, where it received a mixed response. He then started organizing the event independently.
"For people to step out of their comfort zone…really proves that they're committed to peace," said Whelehan
He first ran the idea by Dean of Students Lenny Sancilio.
"As far as I can tell, it's protected political expression," Sancilio said. "We have a group of students who want to take a stand on something - I'm supportive of that."
Sancilio said the administration and University Police were made aware of the plans for the demonstration and decided not to interfere.
President Christopher Dahl and Vice President for Student and Campus Life Robert Bonfiglio were unavailable for comment.
Participating students remained naked and in the shape of a peace sign for over 10 minutes, to the periodical cheers of their spectators.
"I think it's awesome," said sophomore Bethan Maher, who observed the demonstration. "I don't think there's enough of this at Geneseo."
"I'm shocked that there's not police here already," said senior Nick Johnson.
Sophomore Nick Crider shared the opinions of many students in his surprise that "they really did it…and it's pretty sweet, I'm not going to lie."
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 17
Jeff
posted 5/01/08 @ 10:39 PM EST
This kind of crap is exactly why people don't take college students seriously.
GBMaureen
GBMaureen
posted 5/03/08 @ 12:35 AM EST
I'm a Geneseo alum who worked on the Lamron as an undergrad and my former Lamron editor in chief e-mailed me this article wondering why we never had this kind of excitement when we were at Geneseo. (Continued…)
Sean Kirkpatrick
posted 5/04/08 @ 1:43 PM EST
I think Jeff has a point, albeit one without a lot of nuance. I think that some people might write this off as a stunt for the sake of sensationalism. (Continued…)
Rusty
posted 5/06/08 @ 12:56 PM EST
Lets not repeal any voter regs. Quailman, I found you comment amusing. Anthony I think you're right, and to this extent I also agree with Jeff. I don't think people take college students seriously all the time. (Continued…)
Wayne Wells
posted 5/07/08 @ 10:08 PM EST
Only when we have a military draft will the meaningful actions of college students be taken seriously. The crap the mass media dutifully passes out to an apathetic public is tolerated so long as it is perceived by the public as having no consequences to them. (Continued…)
Rusty
posted 5/08/08 @ 12:50 PM EST
Quailman,
My position on this particular issue was that this protest was a publicity stunt that did not accomplish its stated goal of sparking dialogue on the war. (Continued…)
Mari
posted 5/08/08 @ 10:43 PM EST
Rusty: I'm not sure they went about it the right way, but I don't think you can say they didn't give a crap. I missed the demonstration, but from what I've heard, while some people participating in it were very open, others were visibly uncomfortable with what they were doing but did it anyways. (Continued…)
Naruto
posted 5/16/08 @ 8:16 PM EST
this is crazy, but i wanted to see this because there might of been naked hot girls there.
Gazza
posted 8/30/08 @ 4:59 PM EST
No, THAT is why people don't take college students seriously.
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