Preciousrain
08-18-2003, 06:47 PM
We are asking all individuals, groups, collectives and organizations to attend the following events concerning the current situation in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. Below is a brief description of what is happening in this area of Mexico followed by a listing of film screenings and info about a solidarity march for human rights and justice that will take place in Minneapolis and in over 8 Mexican and U.S. cities on August 23rd, 2003.
Since 1993, more than 300 young women have been found mutilated, raped and murdered in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Over 500 more women have been abducted. Most of these women were poor and lived in marginalized communities. Many of them worked for the U.S.-owned maquiladora factories.
The majority of these women were abducted while waiting in the dark for their buses to take them to or from work. The Mexican Government has not taken effective measures to stop the killings or bring the perpetrators to justice at a local, state or federal level.
Impunity for these crimes against women sends the signal that violence against women goes unpunished. The murder epidemic is now spreading to other cities such as Chihuahua City where over 16 women have disappeared and 8 bodies have been found. Due to increased pressure to find the perpetrators, authorities have resorted to witch hunt tactics by arresting people who have nothing to do with the crimes in an effort to divert attention from their ineptitude, inaction and corruption. Police and prosecutors now target anyone who looks different and leads alternative lifestyles. For example, in May 2003 Cynthia Kiecker of Bloomington, Minnesota and her husband Ulises Perzebal were arrested for the murder of Viviana Rayas Arellanas. This couple, who ran a jewelry store and cafe in Chihuahua city, have long hair and tattoos distinguishing them from the rest of the community, though they were well respected amongst counter-culture youth. The couple was tortured with electrical shock and forced into signing a pre-typed confession of the murder. The confession declares that Rayas was killed with a metal tube while the state coroner's report shows the victim was murdered by
strangulation. Two witnesses in the case were physically and psychologically tortured into signing statements against the couple and have publicly retracted their testimony. A third witness has fled for the United States.
There is no physical evidence linking the couple to the crime. The couple is currently in prison awaiting their trial.
Please join us for a screening of 'senorita extraviada ( missing young women) followed by a discussion with Carol Kiecker who is currently trying to free her daughter and son in law from prison in chihuahua state.
Senorita extraviada' tells the story of the women of Juarez. This 75 mn.
Documentary by Lourdes Portillo investigates the circumstances of the murders and the hardships endured by the families who have suffered loss.
Demonstrating the reprecussions of nafta, This film shows the side of a global economy where women workers are often exposed to violence, poverty and injustice.
Tuesday August 12 @ 9pm- Arise bookstore-2441 lyndale avenue s
Monday august 18 @ 8pm- bedlam studio-514 ½ cedar ave s- mpls mn
wed. august 20@8pm-artrujillo gallery-315 e. lake st. mpls, mn (2 blocks e. of 35w)
thurs. august 21@6pm-resource center of the americas-3019 minnehaha ave.
mpls
events free, donations welcome
Since 1993, more than 300 young women have been found mutilated, raped and murdered in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico. Over 500 more women have been abducted. Most of these women were poor and lived in marginalized communities. Many of them worked for the U.S.-owned maquiladora factories.
The majority of these women were abducted while waiting in the dark for their buses to take them to or from work. The Mexican Government has not taken effective measures to stop the killings or bring the perpetrators to justice at a local, state or federal level.
Impunity for these crimes against women sends the signal that violence against women goes unpunished. The murder epidemic is now spreading to other cities such as Chihuahua City where over 16 women have disappeared and 8 bodies have been found. Due to increased pressure to find the perpetrators, authorities have resorted to witch hunt tactics by arresting people who have nothing to do with the crimes in an effort to divert attention from their ineptitude, inaction and corruption. Police and prosecutors now target anyone who looks different and leads alternative lifestyles. For example, in May 2003 Cynthia Kiecker of Bloomington, Minnesota and her husband Ulises Perzebal were arrested for the murder of Viviana Rayas Arellanas. This couple, who ran a jewelry store and cafe in Chihuahua city, have long hair and tattoos distinguishing them from the rest of the community, though they were well respected amongst counter-culture youth. The couple was tortured with electrical shock and forced into signing a pre-typed confession of the murder. The confession declares that Rayas was killed with a metal tube while the state coroner's report shows the victim was murdered by
strangulation. Two witnesses in the case were physically and psychologically tortured into signing statements against the couple and have publicly retracted their testimony. A third witness has fled for the United States.
There is no physical evidence linking the couple to the crime. The couple is currently in prison awaiting their trial.
Please join us for a screening of 'senorita extraviada ( missing young women) followed by a discussion with Carol Kiecker who is currently trying to free her daughter and son in law from prison in chihuahua state.
Senorita extraviada' tells the story of the women of Juarez. This 75 mn.
Documentary by Lourdes Portillo investigates the circumstances of the murders and the hardships endured by the families who have suffered loss.
Demonstrating the reprecussions of nafta, This film shows the side of a global economy where women workers are often exposed to violence, poverty and injustice.
Tuesday August 12 @ 9pm- Arise bookstore-2441 lyndale avenue s
Monday august 18 @ 8pm- bedlam studio-514 ½ cedar ave s- mpls mn
wed. august 20@8pm-artrujillo gallery-315 e. lake st. mpls, mn (2 blocks e. of 35w)
thurs. august 21@6pm-resource center of the americas-3019 minnehaha ave.
mpls
events free, donations welcome