BATTLE ON THE HOMEFRONT
tempura on kraft paper
MARIANNE MARCHEGIANO LABRECQUE

Last August, after he and I experienced three grueling months
of harassment by a local "gang", someone very dear to me was
finally abducted by these people. Although it is being relatively
well masked, every indication is that he is now being held in
actual slavery in which he is sadistically prostituted, tortured
and possibly kept under additional inhumane conditions. He has
not been able to escape nor be rescued and it is possible that
others have now similarly fallen victim to these people.
Originally, the community, including the police, did not believe
me and did not take my pleas for help seriously because they
were unaware that something this bizarre could occur, especially
in their small town. But a corrupt and/or dysfunctional
infrastructure is/was the primary reason something this horrible
was able to happen in the first place. Now that community is
being increasingly terrorized by and, mostly out of fear, actually
supporting and protecting this gang of people. I continue try to
work through the established infrastructure, but the community
is still the most effective means of bringing him and other
possible victims to safety and freedom as quickly as possible.
Emails are being used to reach out to it because it is, otherwise,
unreachable due to fear and threats. To stay "legal" phrases are
used to identify people and places involved, rather than names.
One of the earlier emails included this:

I know this probably sounds like I'm "crazy" or, at least
"corny" but I keep thinking of the words in the National
Anthem that links free with brave, i.e., "Oh, say does that
Star-Spangled Banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and
the home of the brave?" In all that I'm experiencing now,
particularly people afraid to get involved even though the
quality of THEIR life and that of their children is being
effected as well, I am realizing how bravery is just as critical
to freedom today as it was throughout the rest of US history.
And that even those who talk so patriotically about defending
American principles on foreign soil are hesitant to do the
same on the home front, where it effects our freedom even more!

This minimum bid for this piece has been set at $8000 as part
of the effort to represent the eight months since he was
abducted in August, 2002. This amount will change to reflect
any additional months, should this horror continue.
Bidding will end when he is set free under stipulated conditions.

100% of the proceeds will go to the Alliance for Living in its
HIV/AIDS fight. The artist will retain the rights to all
reproductions, as well as the right to withdraw this offer.


Marianne is a long time resident of the local area, who many
know from her past community activities: Treasurer and one of
three Board members Hygienic Art Inc., Facilitator in the Shaw's
Cove Renaissance development, Business Manager then
President of the East Lyme Art League and some time back,
President of the Eastern Connecticut Personnel Association.
Her Fine Art training is from Philadelphia's Moore College of Art
and Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Art, the University of
Connecticut and self-taught. She has exhibited in local group
and one person shows. Award winning recognition has been
won through exhibits outside the local area.


For further information about,
or if you have any information regarding
or if you are willing to help in
this situation:

PLEASE CONTACT:
Marianne LaBrecque
marianne-lbrqu@att.net
860/303-1999

Description:
BATTLE ON THE HOMEFRONT
tempura on kraft paper
MARIANNE MARCHEGIANO LABRECQUE

MEANWHILE. . . . . . A BATTLE RAGES ON THE HOMEFRONT

Two hands are ripping at the American flag, which is against a yellow  background.

On the stripes of the flag are written reminders of some of the things  this flag represents which are being threatened, which we must fight to save:
FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND ASSOCIATION,
LIBERTY,
DOMESTIC HUMAN RIGHTS,
FREEDOM OF ETHNICITY,
ETC, ETC, ETC

NO SERVITUDE ( FORCED SVCS) [ i.e., NO SLAVERY !!!! ]

DOMESTIC PEACE AND NON-AGGRESSION



Along the yellow right hand ripping it is written SLEAZE – capital letters, smudged, sooty, ugly, the A of the word, as well as the yellow  color of these hands, melting onto the flag as it rips. GANG ACTIVITY, in capital letters, is written along the thumb, on the fingers: dysfunctional infrastructure, Ostriches, Apathy, APATHY.

TERRORIZED COMMUNITIES is written along the yellow left hand; on the fingers, APATHY, BRAVELESSNESS, APATHY, COMMUNITY TERRORISM; the thumb, APATHY; along the side from the elbow to the wrist: APATHY, APATHY, APATHY, APATHY.


The stars of the flag appear as people would under an unexpected enemy attack - they are fleeing across the field of blue in different directions. Some are attempting to carry wounded to safety.

The flag is in black outline against the disturbing background of yellow that appears as the BATTLE that RAGES ON THE  HOMEFRONT