More than one hundred people gathered in front of the Malvinas Argentinas Prosecutor's Office to support the family of Eva Analía de Jesús, who demanded and obtained their first meeting with the prosecutor in the case, Germán Muñoz Weigel. There, they learned that there had been no progress in recent months and that further evidence was needed to change the charges or request her release. By Paula Bistagnino Photos: Ariel Gutraich More than one hundred people gathered in front of the Malvinas Argentinas Prosecutor's Office to support the family of Eva Analía de Jesús, who demanded and obtained their first meeting with the prosecutor in the case, Germán Muñoz Weigel. There, they learned that there had been no progress in recent months and that further evidence was needed to change the charges or request her release. This afternoon, at a press conference at the Moreno City Hall, they will announce the next steps. The family of Eva Analía de Jesús, accompanied by the Justice for Higui Commission, went to the UFI 25 (Specialized Prosecutor's Office) in Malvinas Argentinas and, for the first time, were received by the prosecutor in charge of the case, Germán Muñoz Weigel. Also present at the meeting was the Attorney General of San Martín, Marcelo Lapargo, who attended specifically due to the large demonstrations in the streets and the widespread media coverage the case had received in recent months.

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

Higui's mother with her sisters “Unfortunately, the case hasn't progressed, so we're going to start the process to change her defense attorney. We want to remove the current lawyer (Raquel Hermida Leyenda) because, just as we suspected, she's done practically nothing. So we have to keep fighting so that Higui can be released,” said Azucena Díaz, one of Higui's sisters, who was with her mother, Susana, and another sister, Elisa. The three left disappointed: “They told us it will still be a long time before Higui's freedom can even be considered,” she said, her voice breaking as she spoke.

"We all helped to get Higui out."

Carolina Abregú, a member of the Furia Feminista collective and a driving force behind the Justice for Higui Commission, also joined the meeting: “We are devastated because every day lost counts for the cause, for the possibility of justice, and for Higui, who remains imprisoned. But we will not give up. We will get Higui out together.” Also present were the other members of the Justice Commission: Karina Leguizamón, head of the Moreno Women’s Network, and Saya Sacayán, brother of the murdered trans activist Diana Sacayán and coordinator of the Anti-Discrimination Liberation Movement (MAL). What they were able to present was a request to prevent Higui's transfer from the San Martín Police Station, where she is being held. "She's fine there, and besides, we're afraid they might try to take her far away," explained Azucena, who has been at the forefront of the fight for justice for her sister from the beginning. Addressing the crowd, she took the microphone and thanked everyone present for their support: "Thank you for being with us and fighting for Higui's freedom. I want my sister to come home. I want her to be able to celebrate her next birthday, which is June 7th, in freedom."

[READ ALSO: “Higui is stronger, eager to be released soon” ]

Meanwhile, the mother, Susana, said they wouldn't know where they would be now if it weren't for the support they receive from the organizations that assist them: "Imagine if they treat us like this and don't welcome us even though there are so many of us, imagine coming here alone to ask for something," she told PresentsUntil today, they had never been able to see the prosecutor in charge of the case in seven months.

Tense moment with the police 

From early morning, a dozen police officers guarded the entrance to the Prosecutor's Office, and when, after 11:00 a.m., the Justice for Higui Commission tried to enter, as planned and announced, the officers positioned themselves at the entrance to prevent them. After a few tense minutes of pushing and shouting, they finally had to let them in. "This is yet another demonstration of how this justice system operates: either Prosecutor Muñoz Weigel doesn't know how to handle these types of cases, or he sends the police to create a horrible situation that wasn't necessary. Five times during the previous two hours, we said that a delegation of five people was going to enter," Abregú emphasized.

"There are many Higuis"

“There are many Higuises who are victims of patriarchal and classist injustice. Because being a lesbian in the City is not the same as being in the deep suburbs. And that's why there are so many of us here today. This isn't just any case, it's not just another case. Just like Diana's (Sacayán) case wasn't. Trans or lesbian, it's the same gaze from the justice system and society on our bodies,” she told Presents Saya Sacayán, Diana's brother and one of the members of the Justice for Higui Commission.

Under a huge banner that read “Attacked for being a Lesbian. Imprisoned for defending herself” and with a drawing of Higui playing soccer in the center, the Permanent Lesbian Assembly—founded in Buenos Aires in response to this case—took center stage. “For us, Higui is a symbol of the struggle against patriarchal justice. She represents what happens to women for defending themselves: we end up in prison,” they stated, while from a megaphone, amidst the constant beat of drums, everyone present chanted: “I knew it, I knew it, that the police protect rapists” and “Freedom for Higui. And an end to patriarchal justice.”

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

Also present were the organizations Pan y Rosas (Bread and Roses) of the PTS, the Plenary of Women Workers of the PO, Mujeres de la Matria Latinoamericana (Mumaia), and Juntas ya la Izquierda (Together for the Left) of the MST, led by Vilma Ripoll: “As soon as we learned of Higui's case, we understood that it was a case of rights violations because she is a lesbian and poor. It is double discrimination, which occurs in many cases and which here has reached this tremendous injustice of her being imprisoned for 7 months while her attackers are free,” said the leader. She emphasized: “A few years ago this case would have gone unnoticed. It is the organization of women that provides the framework that allows it to become a rallying cry.” Before leaving, Azucena invited everyone to participate in the Rock Festival for Higui, which will be held on Saturday, April 29, at the University of General Sarmiento (UNGS).