January 16, 2004
Dear Eve Ensler,
Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa (Bring Our Daughters Home) is an organization consisting of mothers, families and close friends of the disappeared and assassinated women of Juarez that is dedicated to seeking justice. We would like to set ourselves apart from and discuss some of the actions that are being organized under the auspices of your event "V-Day" that will involve your presence and that rely for their success on your ability to draw public attention.
We think that the emotional state of those affected by the loss of the lives of our daughters and sister does not permit them to enjoy fundraiser celebrations on the order of dances that target affluent and socially connected people. In reality, those people are protected and immune from the daily dangers and pain that do indeed imperil us.
The destruction of the lives of nearly 400 women and an incalculable number of disappearances over the past eleven years in Juarez have nothing to do with domestic violence, nor do they have anything to do with the harassment and violence that all women are exposed to in general by men who are close to and known to them.
The kidnappers and assassins of our daughters and sisters are men who are not members of the families of the victims, and, after ten years of impunity, we have good reasons to think that they are protected by the authorities and/or the political regime.
Our mourning will not end until there is justice.
In the spirit of remembrance of the women who are no longer with us and to share with all the love and pain that inspire and encourage us, we have organized a series of actions for February 14 th and we would like to you participate in them in support of us:
- A silent march from the Santa Fe Bridge to the Cathedral, in which we will carry signs demanding justice and the end of impunity. At 11am in the morning we will be at the Bridge to meet the procession coming from the US.
( translator's note : This is the same march that is already officially part of the V Day event.)
- Memorial mass for the deceased, at 1pm at the Cathedral. Please note that Feb. 14 is the anniversary of the kidnapping of Lilia Alejandra Garcia Andrade, the daughter of the co-founder of NHRC, Norma Andrade. We will ask the presiding bishop to read from the liturgy chose by the mothers and the sisters of the deceased.
- Round table discussion with members of civil society and governmental institutions about the current state of injustice and insecurity. The place for this meeting has not yet been chosen but it will probably be at the Municipal Art Center.
- Presentation of the theater work, "The Women of Juarez" by Ruben Amavizca, at the Municipal Art Center with a post-performance discussion.
Finally, we invite you to join us for a press conference in which we will convoke a vigil, beginning at 8pm, at the vacant lot where, seven days after her disappearance, the body of Lilia Alejandra was found three years ago. Each person should attend with a candle so that together we form a giant cross that will illuminate the remembrance of our deceased women.
For your recognized work against violence against women, and in light of the respect that you are due, we have wanted to contact you directly to communicate to you that what has happened in our city with respect to the lives of women is a crime against humanity that goes far beyond the everyday experiences of violence and discrimination.
Without justice, no amount of funding from those of good conscience can alleviate our pain and our indignation.
We ask that you participate in our actions in solidarity with our struggle.
The mothers of Bring Our Daughters Home would also like to have a personal conversation with you when you are in Juarez.
Cordially,
For Bring Our Daughters Home:
Josefina González
Mayela Banda González
Evangelina Arce
Yadira Arce
Rodrigo Arce
Soledad Aguilar
Nidia Lee Aguilar
Nancy Lee Aguilar
Mario Lee López
Norma Andrade
Ma. Luisa García Andrade
Ramona Morales Huerta
Javier Rivera Morales
Angel Rivera Morales
Domingo Rivera Morales
Juanita Rodríguez
Graciela Rodríguez
Julia Caldera
Silvia Guadián
Karina Janette Payán
Ana Duarte
Rawí Leal Ortiz
Nakar Leal Ortiz
Alfredo Limas Hernández
Sonia Torres
Jesús Portillo
Ivonne Mendoza
Marisela Ortiz Rivera
Patricia Monreal
Aline Hernández
http://www.geocities.com/pornuestrashijas/
Calle Privada de Casas Grandes No. 6218
Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, México
Tels (656) 620 4599
Cel: 656 638 5640
SECOND LETTER TO EVE ENSLER
Ciudad Juarez, February first, 2004
Dear Eve Ensler,
As we have been object of manipulations and accusations by the local V-Day Committee, we, as mothers, relatives and close friends of young women
victims of kidnappings and murders, would like to convey you that we have been forced to reduce or limit our 14th February program to:
- a mourning mass for the anniversary of the vanishing of Lilia Alejandra García Andrade, and to the performance of the play “Women of Ciudad Juarez”, from the group Sinergia from Los Angeles and directed by Rubén Amevizca.
You are cordially invited to both of them and, in any circumstances, we hope to be able to have the short interview with you as it was proposed by your
representant.
It is not in our mind nor it is our intention to boicot the celebrations of V-Day you generously preside. But unfortunately we need to set aside ourselves from any organization or person representing local interests fostering or protecting abuse of power. Unfortunately again, murdering women in our
city it has been and it is a political matter. We can not collaborate with people who are attacking and discriminating us fiercely.
We hope to have the opportunity to talk and answer any of your questions.
Waiting for the occasion, sincerely,
Norma Andrade and Marisela Ortiz
Nuestras Hijas de Regreso a Casa
http://www.geocities.com/pornuestrashijas/
Calle Privada de Casas Grandes No. 6218
Cd. Juárez, Chihuahua, México
Tels (656) 620 4599
Cel: 656 638 5640