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Big, Colorful American Quilt Has a Story to Tell

Faiza Elmasry

   WASHINGTON - It's often hard for victims of sexual violence to speak
   about their experience. But 3,000 of them were able to express
   themselves through art, creating a personal square of fabric to be part
   of quilts that make up The Monument Quilt.

   Not alone

   Each square is a message from survivors of rape, incest or domestic
   violence. They are women, men and children from across the U.S. and
   Mexico. Laid out on the National Mall this month, the Quilt squares
   spelled out "YOU ARE NOT ALONE" in English and Spanish.

   The project was envisioned and organized by FORCE: Upsetting Rape
   Culture. The Baltimore-based activist collaboration produces
   large-scale public art projects to generate media attention and get
   millions of people talking.