The National Day for the Freedom and Acquittal of Higui began in front of the San Martín Courthouse and culminated in a large rally in front of the National Congress, led by the family of Eva Higui de Jesús. They were accompanied by more than 500 people. It coincided with the International Day Against Discrimination Based on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity. By Paula Bistagnino. One of the first to arrive at Plaza de los Dos Congresos during the national day of action held yesterday in different parts of the country to demand the release and acquittal of Eva Higui de Jesús was her mother. At 5:00 p.m. sharp, the designated time for the mobilization in Buenos Aires, Susana Díaz, wearing a black t-shirt with her daughter's face printed on it, stood alone with her back to the National Congress. She held a banner with the image of Higui that has been circulating on social media lately: long hair, dressed as a soccer player, a ball under her arm, and smiling. While some flags were being hung and sound equipment was being set up for the open-air radio broadcast, the woman stood there for a long time. Serious but holding back tears, she allowed herself to be photographed by a dozen reporters who were waiting in line. "I don't have much to say. All I can do is cry. I cry all the time. Right now, because I'm so moved by the support my daughter and we are receiving. Seeing all these people here... Higui is doing well, all things considered. But she's very anxious. She's been in jail for many months now," she told Presentes. Her daughter has been detained since October 16, when members of a gang attacked her in the hallway of a house in San Miguel. She defended herself against a "corrective" rape, fatally wounding one of her attackers. Yesterday, about 500 people in total arrived at the plaza located in front of the National Congress. They were mostly women of different ages, carrying signs, flags, drums, and megaphones. They gathered around the open-air radio station and an improvised soccer field with two goals set up in the street. It was the first time a rally had been organized exclusively in Buenos Aires to protest Higui's arrest. "This gathering underscores the need for the Women's Movement to coordinate actions. Because only popular struggle in the streets will free Higui," said Carolina Abregú, from the organization Furia Feminista and a member of the Justice for Higui Commission, along with the family, Karina Leguizamón from the Moreno Women's Network, and Sasha Sacayán from the Anti-Discrimination Liberation Movement (MAL). The decision to hold the rally on May 17, the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, had come from a meeting of this Working Group more than a month prior. "In Argentina, being LGBTQ+ is not prohibited, as it is in other countries. But there is a system of control imposed on us." Higui's case proves it: the attempt at discipline by these men first. And then by the State, through omission, which punishes her through the justice system for being a lesbian,” began one of the women who led the Open Radio, the center of the gathering. While a pickup soccer game was being played and slogans were chanted, various speakers spoke at full volume over the loudspeakers, and audio messages of support from women in different Latin American countries and from Higui's friends were played.

Support from the Latin American feminist movement

One of the most applauded speakers was Daniela Inojosa, from the Venezuelan feminist organization La Araña Feminista (The Spider) and coordinator of the Alba Movement. “There, as here, heteronormativity and androcentrism dictate social and legal norms. Just as you have Higui, we there have had comrades from the collective persecuted, imprisoned, and murdered. We are constantly defending ourselves against attacks and hatred toward sexual diversity. Thank you for fighting for Higui! You have our support, the support of the Latin American feminist movement,” said Inojosa. Alma Fernández also spoke and received a standing ovation. director from the Student Center of the Popular Trans High School Mocha Celis: “The trans community is also being persecuted and attacked. We support the demand for justice and freedom for Higui, we support these demands, but let's not forget all the trans women who are being beaten every day and nobody knows,” she said. And she finished by singing: “Olé, Olé, Olé, Olá, freedom for Higui, we're going to get you out, organized!” joined by the crowd.

"The sexist and patriarchal view of Justice"

Sasha Sacayán spoke out against the justice system: “The justice system has a sexist and patriarchal view of our bodies. This is evident in Higui's case: she was convicted despite the injuries she sustained, the evidence of attempted rape, and her testimony. Nothing was taken into account. And that shows how the justice system views us and how it treats us. We need to make this visible, but we also need lawyers to represent us and fight for us.” The last to speak was Azucena Díaz, Higui's sister. She was with her mother and sisters at the stand at the solidarity fair for Higui, where they sold cakes, empanadas, stencils on fabric with slogans, and other items to help her. Struggling to hold back tears, she expressed her gratitude for the support. She said they are waiting for the court to grant her house arrest as soon as possible: “The first thing is for her to be able to leave and await the legal proceedings in a home. It's been many months already… We are all devastated.” That's the immediate priority now, and then we'll go for acquittal." They also set up a mailbox so that people could leave messages and notes for Higui, which the family will deliver to her on Friday during their next visit to the San Martín Women's Detention Center, where she has been held for the past seven months. "It does her a world of good to know that she has our support, and that's why we decided to set up the mailbox. It will be so nice for her to be able to read what people are saying," her mother explained.

A story with resonance beyond Argentina

Among the press covering the demonstration were many national and international media outlets, such as the EFE news agency: “This is a case that is having a great impact not only in Argentina but also beyond, because it is a unique case in the world. And on the day and week of Sexual Diversity, we think it is important to publicize it,” Spanish correspondent Marina Guillén told Presentes. The first cry of “Freedom for Higui” at the Congress ended after 8 p.m. and was immortalized by a photo from the magazine “La Garganta Poderosa,” which brought together the demonstrators and captured them in the gesture that has become a classic of the publication and which will appear in the next issue.