Historic Human Rights Project Comes To Las Vegas

Jan. 24, 2011 - PRLog -- Sin City will play host to the historic I AM EQUAL project, an human rights and equality focused photo campaign, as it stops in Las Vegas on 19-FEB-2011 at The New York – New York Hotel & Casio to collect hundreds of new photos of people stepping up for causes of civil rights and human compassion in our community and around the world.

“This project is here to empower individuals from all walks of life to get actively involved in a social dialog about the issues that mean the most to them,” explains project creator Jason Beckett. “People participate in this photo campaign because they have a story to tell and a message to send the world; our job is to give them a platform to stand on so they can open their mouths and start changing the world.”

Participation in the project is as simple as wearing a brightly-colored shirt and getting a photo taken during the open public event anytime from 11:00am to 9:00pm. After a brief registration process, individuals have a temporary tattoo put on their hand and then they present it to the camera in a creative way that represents their unique cause or issue.

“It doesn’t really matter how they pose for their picture, as long as it represents their reason for taking part in the project,” explains project photographer Matt Spencer. “Some people are taking a photo to stop child slavery and others are drawing attention to domestic violence issues; there are some people who want to bring marriage equality to their state, and others who are beating the drum for environmental issues. We celebrate every cause and invite everyone to come join the movement as a way to share their story with the world.”

This event stop represents the only scheduled stop for this project in Las Vegas, and would-be participants are encouraged to plan ahead as this may be their only opportunity to be part of this project. “We are visiting 28 U.S. cities this year and 175 total during the course of this project,” continues Beckett. “Unfortunately, we can’t visit every city, so it’s important to take advantage when the chance comes around. It’s because of the support and commitment to diversity of MGM Resorts International that residents and visitors of Las Vegas will have this unique opportunity to take part in this historic project, and we thank them.”

The event is FREE and open to the public. A $20 donation is recommended to support the efforts of the I AM EQUAL global scholarship initiative and the photo tour. Additional details are available online at Facebook.com/iamequal as well as at the official website, www.iamequalproject.org.

About the I AM EQUAL Project
The I AM EQUAL Project was created by Jason Beckett and fashion photographer Matt Spencer in January 2010 in an effort to empower individuals to speak out about the 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 their rights, and the rights of others around the world.

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

About MGM Resorts International
MGM Resorts International  is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a peerless portfolio of destination resort brands, including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company has significant holdings in gaming, hospitality and entertainment, owns and operates 15 properties located in Nevada, Mississippi and Michigan, and has 50% investments in four other properties in Nevada, Illinois and Macau. One of those investments is CityCenter, an unprecedented urban resort destination on the Las Vegas Strip featuring its centerpiece ARIA Resort & Casino. Through its hospitality management subsidiary, the Company holds a growing number of development and management agreements for casino and non-casino resort projects around the world. MGM Resorts International supports responsible gaming and has implemented the American Gaming Association's Code of Conduct for Responsible Gaming at its gaming properties. The Company has been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for its industry-leading Diversity Initiative, its community philanthropy programs and the Company's commitment to sustainable development and operations. For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's Web site at www.mgmresorts.com.