WASHINGTON -- Most people gather in groups to gaze at Washington, D.C.'s time-honored monuments, but today two newcomers stole the show. Tourists and lunchtime passers-by were surprised to see two women showering naked, behind a banner, to urge people to switch to a vegetarian diet.

"It certainly gets peoples' attention," said Devin Bartolomeo, a vegetarian who supports demonstrations like this one.

The women are part of a PETA demonstration advocating vegetarianism. Their actions come in the wake of a new study that found the water it takes to produce one pound of meat is equivalent to the water used by the average person showering over a period of six months.

But, "facts and figures alone aren't always enough to engage people," said Ashley Byrne, PETA Campaign Coordinator.

SLIDESHOW: PETA Models Get Naked in DC

Most passers-by were confused by the display that drew a mainly male audience, and some people stopped to take pictures and videos with their cell phones. But others didn't take the demonstration seriously.

"I think it's hysterical. Only in America," said Theo Fox, a visitor from Maryland.

Christie Dellinger, a mother with two young sons, was angered by the display. "It's showing people that it's OK to be naked because that's what men want to see. It's shameful," she said.

Byrne said the actions taken by the two showerers, Kelsey Jaye and Jessica Levin, were not indecent. "No one could see anything more than they would at the beach."

The police eventually ended the protest after about 25 minutes, saying people were congregating and blocking the busy sidewalk. No one was cited.