Update: Click here to check out our flash mob photo!
Let’s turn back the clock. The year is 2006. The month is May. Mexico State Security Forces evict a group of flower sellers from a local market in Texcoco, Mexico, whom authorities claim set up stalls without permission outside of the market. This eviction produced an outpouring of community support for the vendors in Texcoco and in San Salvador Atenco. The protest, which lasted two days, resulted in arrests of more than 200 people, 47 of which were women. These women were forced to endure unimaginable forms of violence at the hands of the police. Thus far, state authorities have pursued criminal action in only two of the 11 cases, citing “abuse of authority or “lewd acts” and not, torture.
Fast forward to Thursday, March 14th when, Bárbara Italia Méndez, one of these brave women of Atenco will be giving her testimony at a public hearing conducted by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights in Washington D.C. At this crucial time, we want to show the women that they have our full support and solidarity. What better way to do this than by convening a flashmob photo of solidarity?
9:45 a.m. Thursday, March 14th: Stand in solidarity with the women of Atenco by posing for a flashmob photo!
We ask that people congregate in front of the Juan Valdez café (1889 F St. N.W. Washington, D.C. 20405) just to the left of the Commission/OAS entrance, so as not to block the entrance, tomorrow morning at 9:45am. The theme color is blue, but if you don’t have something blue, come as you are. Bring your officemates, classmates, and friends! Forward this email to other people who would be interested in sending a message against torture, violence against women, and impunity in Mexico.
Help us show Bárbara and the women that they have our full support by posing for the flashmob photo at 9:45 a.m. on Thursday, March 14th!
The entire LAWG Mexico Team will be there, will you? Feel free to e-mail Ruth Isabel Robles at rrobles@lawg.org if you have any questions.
See you there and don’t forget to wear blue!
