Project poses as a visual of domestic violence

The Clothesline Project is a traveling memorial exhibit to honor victims of domestic violence and will make its way to International Falls Oct. 21-25.

A shirt representing Linda Muggli of Ray will be included in the display, according to LeeAnn Meer, executive director of Friends Against Abuse,

“We chose to bring up only the year 2010 so that Linda’s shirt could be brought to town,” Meer explained.

Muggli died Nov. 26, 2010, after a totem pole she was carving fell on her. In January, more than two years after her death, Linda Muggli’s husband, Carl Muggli, pleaded guilty under an agreement with prosecutors to second-degree unintentional murder of his wife. He was later sentenced to 15 years in prison, the maximum penalty under sentencing guidelines.

“Linda died as a result of domestic violence,” Meer said. “It’s a reminder that (violence) like that does happen here.”

Each T-shirt displayed is usually decorated by friends and families of the victims and stand as a visual reminder that domestic violence happens everywhere. The shirts also include a personal story about the victim, Meer said.

The memorial will be displayed in four different areas around the community during the week, including the Coffee Landing on Oct. 21; the International Falls Public Library Oct. 22; Backus Community Center Oct. 23; and Rainy River Community College Oct. 24-25. There is no charge to view the display.

“Minnesota puts this Clothesline Project together every year,” Meer said. “Back in 2008, we brought all 20 years (that the project has been around) here...It brought a really powerful message.”

According to the project’s website, the Men’s Rape Prevention Project in Washington D.C., found that 58,000 soldiers died in the Vietnam war. During that same period of time, 51,000 women were killed mostly by men who supposedly loved them. In the summer of 1990, that statistic became the catalyst for a coalition of women’s groups on Cape Cod, Mass., to consciously develop a program that would educate, break the silence and bear witness to one issue — violence against women.

Meer said the project has grown to include everyone – women, men and children – who have died as a result of domestic violence.

“I can’t stress enough what a powerful visual this is,” she said of the project.

Meer continued the exhibit is here, in part for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a time to honor and remember everyone who lost their lives to domestic violence. She noted that the project poses as a reminder about a silent issue that permeates all corners of the community.

“It will hopefully start a conversation,” she said. “We want to educate people on (domestic violence) resources that are available and to start talking about what is happening.”