Collective Marriage

"Collective Marriage" was the second action that we did as a complete group. We organized a wedding in which the prisoners, Lorena and Brian married amongst themselves. In the action, we authorized the marriage and defined it for and amongst ourselves. The marriage vows and license were written by the group and during the process we asked ourselves about the function of the institution of marriage and its principles of possession and private property under capitalist ideology. Brian performed the service and was a participant at the same time. Each of the "happy couples" signed the rose-colored act with a part of their body. As well, each of the participants were able to choose how they wanted the group to pose in their "wedding photo." For the witnesses, there were kisses and hugs from Lorena.

The prisoners in the action group came up with a series of toasts to mark the occasion. There was cake brought by our "in-house sound system" Quetzal Belmont. In addition, we had a dance (though without music) because, well, the music we carry inside....

For each of the participants the action took on a different meaning. For some, it was a "real" act created by the group. For others, it was an event that marked our friendship and/or a type of affective pact. For yet others, it was a first chance to get married under their own free will. For some of those that didn't work directly with the actions group it was a game and for others just a joke.