PEORIA GETS IN ON WORLD RECORD PHOTO CAMPAIGN

Illinois to host next I AM EQUAL Photo Documentary event stop.

28 September, 2011 - Peoria, IL - Organizers of the record-breaking 'I AM EQUAL' photo documentary announced today that the project would stop in Peoria on October 19th, 2011 at The Grand Hotel, making this central Illinois community one of only a handful of U.S. cities to host the historic campaign.

"We're excited to include Peoria in this photo documentary as a way to show the diversity and passion of our communities, both big and small," explains project founder Jason Beckett. "There is a culture of service and compassion in smaller cities that should be documented and we expect to see a great response from Peoria as people step up to shine a light on the issues and causes that they support."

The I AM EQUAL Photo Documentary is currently on a whirlwind tour that will visit 175 cities around the world where international fashion photographer and project co-founder Matt Spencer will capture more than 125,000 individual images to create a record-breaking 8,000 sq/ft mosaic constructed of 2" photo tiles.

"Some people focus on the fact that we are breaking a world record through this project, but the real impact of this campaign is in the realization that each of these photos represents an individual and the diverse issues and causes they support," explains Spencer. "There are people working tirelessly for women's rights and domestic violence alongside others who are involved with autism, education reform, or conservation. Each photo becomes a monument to the community effort to change the world for the better through service, education, and empowerment; that's what the I AM EQUAL movement is all about."

Participation in the photo documentary is open to people of all ages and there is no cost to take part. Hundreds are expected to step in front of the camera when the doors of The Grand Hotel Peoria open on October 19th from 2:00-7:00pm. Participation takes less than 5 minutes, and individuals who want to take part are asked to wear a brightly colored shirt and be "camera ready" when they arrive. Individuals are encouraged to make a $20.00 donation to the Global Scholarship Initiative at the event and support the educational aspirations of at-risk students throughout the U.S.

"The real impact of this project comes when these participants use their social networks like Facebook, Twitter, and Google Plus to share their I AM EQUAL photo and start a dialog with friends and family about the causes they support," explains Beckett. "Sharing these photos and educating others about the issues facing our communities means these participants are part of something bigger than simply breaking a world record, they're part of a movement to change the world through education, service, and empowerment."

Details about the event can be found online at the official website (http://www.iamequalproject.org) or on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/iamequal).

ABOUT THE 'I AM EQUAL' PROJECT

The 'I AM EQUAL' Photo Documentary was created by Jason Beckett and fashion photographer Matt Spencer in an effort to empower individuals to speak out about the social causes that inspire them. The project goal is to capture more than 100,000 photos of people from all walks of life with the “I AM EQUAL” logo emblazoned on the palm of their hand as a symbol of their commitment to stand up for civil liberties, equality, human rights for themselves or others around the world. Ultimately, all the photos will be gathered together to create the world's largest photo mosaic composed of 2in. photo tiles and covering more than 8,000 sq/ft.

Learn more at: http://www.iamequalproject.org
See the photo collection at: http://photos.iamequalproject.org
Find event details at: http://iamequalproject.org/events/peoria -2011/

I AM EQUAL
P.O. Box 2040
Salt Lake City, UT 84110

This release was published on openPR.