Shock and awe as protesters strip off

MEXICO CITY - Most days last week hundreds of men and women from the 400 Villages peasant movement stripped off to pressure the Government to resolve long-running land disputes in the eastern state of Veracruz. All ages and sizes walked through the capital, collecting donations.

The 400 Villages movement began in the 1960s. In 2002, they decided to get naked. It began with the men stripping down to their underpants. They soon moved on to bare their buttocks and then to bare all. Eventually the women got involved, overcoming heavy layers of traditional modesty.

The protesters say they have won concessions such as small donations of land.

- OBSERVER