This was stated by Carolina Abregú, a representative of the Gender Advocacy Office of Malvinas Argentinas, who is in constant contact with the family of Analía de Jesús, detained at the San Martín police station since October 16. Higui is accused of "simple homicide" after defending herself against a group of men who attacked her for being a lesbian and attempted to rape her. In an interview with Presentes, Abregú referred to the letter Higui sent her from jail last January, which went viral in recent days. Analía "Higui" de Jesús has been imprisoned, accused of homicide, since October 16, 2016. She was attacked by a group of men in San Miguel, Buenos Aires province, who attempted to rape and impale her. Higui defended herself with a knife and fatally wounded one of her attackers. Carolina Abregú, a leading figure in the Malvinas Argentinas Gender Advocacy Office, was the one who denounced the irregularities in the case from the beginning and spearheaded the #FreedomForHigui campaign, which is now gaining significant traction on social media and at all public demonstrations. Since December, Higui's defense has been handled by Raquel Hermida Leyenda. Abregú is in constant contact with Higui's family, who are being held at the San Martín police station. In an interview with Presentes , she said: "She's very strong, very well, and eager to be released soon. I don't know if she's aware of the magnitude of the struggle outside, the campaign supporting her, and the support of so many people. Her family is also stronger and more hopeful. There should be legal developments within ten days; if there aren't, we will take to the streets to demand justice."

[READ ALSO: #Argentina: She was attacked for being a lesbian and is in jail for homicide ]

In January, Higui sent Abregú a four-page letter telling her story, recounting her childhood experiences, and thanking him for his support and struggle. That letter, which we reproduce below, went viral on social media. "She sent that letter in January, during the open radio broadcast in San Miguel. I read part of it during the event. It was four pages where she talks about the abuse she suffered as a child. Her lawyer advised us not to reveal all the details so as not to re-victimize her. She also recounts her experiences in the prison system and what happened between us since we met," Abregú added. Presents.

Higui's letter to Carolina Abregú.

"Mrs. Carolina: I hope you are in good health when you receive this letter. No one has ever cared for me as much as you have. Thank you, Mrs. Carolina, for guiding my family in this struggle (you showed me a little of what you are doing). I will always be indebted to you, and one day when I get out—because I won't always be here, one day I will get out—you can count on me.  In here, they've erased even my dreams. The sounds of the locks get more unbearable, horrible, every day. You sleep locked in a tiny room that barely fits a bed, having to sleep locked up; in here, you can't breathe. (...)  Mrs. Carolina, I've been through a lot, and believe it or not, no one is going to dim my light. God knows I'm strong. God knew how to put the right people in my life during difficult times, and they are in my prayers every night. It's very difficult for me to write a letter about my childhood; I don't want to remember anymore. All these years I lived in the past. Being here brought me back to reality, to my present. (…) This helped me to put things in perspective and think about today. I'm awake. Everything I went through was like a bad dream, a nightmare, but I finally woke up. Thank you for everything, Mrs. Carolina, Raquel, and Violeta. God bless you. You all really treat me well.

[READ ALSO: “They condemn violating property but not a woman’s body” ]

For me, there is no justice, no one who believes me. (…) Many years ago, they set fire to my house and tied my dog ​​to the window so it would burn. Look at the evil of those kids who hate me for being a lesbian, for having four girls at the same time. Was it envy? I don't know. (…) I never bothered anyone, I never stole, I never touched anything that wasn't mine. I always asked, I asked permission, and I thanked my elders. (…) As a girl, I always had to earn my place by working, enduring hardship and hunger, valuing the little I earned with the sweat of my brow. (…) When the kids set fire to my shack, I built another one out of brick in the same spot and got running water. (…) I invested what I earned in the house, but I kept running into the kids; they threatened me and threw rocks at me. This led me to move. I lived in fear. I would walk and constantly look over my shoulder. They said a lot of nasty things to me… that they were going to take me to the countryside. That's why I moved. I'd like you to see where I started over. I have four kittens and their mother. Also a little dog that used to belong to Luis, my stepfather. My brother, the transvestite, came to live with me. (…)

[READ ALSO: Lesbian Assembly takes demand for Higui to the International Women's Strike ]

I was always close to my little sisters. I feel like their dad. My brother is doing much better. I built him a little house, the floor and the roof, with the help of the guy who lives across the street. Now I'm building him a bathroom and a laundry area. I wanted to finish hers first and then start on mine. Do you know why I say there's no justice? Because I'm poor. We had a terrible incident at my brother's house, the transvestite, and justice was never served. I've always been discriminated against for being Black, short, and ugly. By many people, and by the police too. (...) When I was 18, I tried to join the military or the police. I was going to enroll in high school, but they told me I wasn't tall enough and that I had flat feet. I took another path. (...) At 15 I left home with my brother, the transvestite (…) Ah, why, you might ask? Why did I leave (…). I don't like problems. I say things to people's faces. That's why, sometimes, people get angry, offended because I tell the truth. I don't let disrespect go unaddressed.  "I just want peace and quiet."  ]]>