In an act of collective healing, we burned an interactive art installation dedicated to victims of the war on drugs in the shadow of the Washington Monument on Saturday, November 21, 2015. “Temple of Essence” was the centerpiece of a 48-hour vigil beginning
November 20. Catharsis on the Mall: A Vigil for Healing the Drug War was open to the public and featured nationally-known speakers, exhibits, art, music, and dance. We need your help funding this transformational event and its annual growth.
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Catharsis on the Mall ongoing project Facebook page.
The esteemed speakers at Catharsis 2015 included: Billy Murphy, Jr., the nationally-recognized civil rights attorney;
Ifetayo Harvey, who lost her father at age four to prison and deportation for a first-time drug offense; and
Anthony Papa, sentenced to fifteen years to life imprisonment for a first-time drug offense. The public also shared their stories during open mic sessions.
“Through art and peaceful expression, we are demonstrating the transition to a more compassionate society,”
said event organizer and civil rights attorney, Robert Haferd. “This vigil is the first of its kind on
the National Mall, and we are delighted that the National Park Service, Park Police, and the D.C. Fire Department have partnered with us to make it possible.”
The highlight of the vigil was the burning of Temple of Essence at 11:00pm on Saturday, November 21st. The temple is a peace-building structure that offers a space for healing personal and collective trauma, engaging community, and allowing the release
of negative energy. Prior to the burn, participants shared their thoughts and stories by writing within the temple’s walls and leaving small
mementos.
“People will see they are not alone in this struggle,” said Michael Verdon, temple artist and U.S. Air Force veteran. Verdon’s
most recent work was installed at George Mason University this past May where more than one thousand people participated in its burn.
“As the temple burns, we will turn our individual experiences into a collective memory and heal as a community,”
Verdon explained. “Afterwards, our vigil will continue with cathartic dancing until sunrise.”
Catharsis on the Mall is organized by Washington DC-area artists, social justice advocates, and Burning Man participants. Speakers and installations were provided by national and local drug policy organizations, including Law Enforcement
Against Prohibition (LEAP), Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), and the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). The vigil coincided with the
International Drug Policy Reform Conference, which brought more than one thousand researchers, academics, and advocates to our nation's capital to work toward ending the war on drugs.
“From the recently-leaked United Nations document
calling for drug decriminalization, to growing bipartisan support
for ending mass incarceration and encouraging cannabis research, we are transitioning from the traumatic war on drugs to policies grounded in public health and human rights," said Natalie Lyla Ginsberg, event organizer
and Policy and Advocacy Manager for MAPS. “It’s time to come together to celebrate and heal.”
We also hosted a fundraiser event on Wednesday, November 18th at Mellow Mushroom in Adams Morgan, 2436 18th St NW, Washington, DC. Visit the fundraiser event Facebook page for additional details.
Participating Organizations:
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Catharsis on the Mall:
Catharsis Facebook Page,
Catharsis Facebook Group,
#CatharsisontheMall -
DCMJ: DCMJ Facebook Page,
@DCMJ -
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps: Dr. Bronner's Facebook Page, @DrBronner
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EarPeace: EarPeace Facebook Page, @EarPeace
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It's All Made Up (IAMU): IAMU Flickr Site
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Law Enforcement Against Prohibition (LEAP): LEAP Facebook Page, @CopsSayLegalize
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Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS): MAPS Facebook Page,
@MAPSnews -
Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP): SSDP Facebook Page,
@SSDP
to the School of Art in 2011.
