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Cecilia Lim | all galleries >> Galleries >> life > Silent Protest
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9 June 2005 Mexico

Silent Protest

Young males - barely adults, mostly boys - gathered in the middle of the plaza infront of San Cristobal de las Casas' Cathedral to stage a silent protest in the morning. They were still there when I returned in the evening, during which I made this shot. Unfamiliar with Spanish, I could not understand what they were protesting about, but I think it had something to do with the plight of orphaned children whose parents were killed in a local civil or guerrilla warfare. These boys stood in the sun all day with their banners hoping to make a difference. I don't know if they did, but I was deeply touched by their commitment, their spirit, and the maturity they must have had within them to fight for their cause in a peaceful way.


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Guest 22-Mar-2007 07:29
What a stunning photo, Cecilia, so powerful in black/white, with the sun almost impaled on the cross and the long shadows stretching out from the protestors. If indeed these children have assembled to express their sadness and outrage at being victimized by war, you could not have articulated it better. That big cross against the hills and clouds, touched by light, feels like Christ himself is there, giving heart to these children, and mourning with them over the cruelties they have suffered. There is a great deal of violence against women and children in Mexico, and an all day vigil certainly speaks to this lack of consciousness. I hope many people see this picture, and remember the responsibility we have towards the "least of us."
Phil Douglis30-Jan-2007 19:31
A powerful statement, Celia. You have abstracted a "news event" into a strikingly abstracted landscape rich in human values. The key is the placement of the sun on the arm of the cross and explosion of clouds in the sky. Those who may see a cross as a holy symbol might well view that arm as the metaphorical hand of god, blessing the efforts of the protesters here. The translucent banners they carry become symbolic shields when transformed into huge shadows that diagonally carry us through the image. This picture does not tell us much about how they feel. Rather, it tells us how you feel about them and their efforts to seek justice -- a spectacular wideangle expression of faith and fervor.