Trans and trans activists joined the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo's historic Thursday march. "We came with the Mothers so they could embrace us in this demand for justice for Ayelen Gómez. They have always been there," said Marlene Wayar, one of the activists. Afterward, the groups held a trans vigil in the plaza to demand justice for the transphobic murder. See the photo gallery. Photos: Ariel Gutraich. In the 2053rd march in Plaza de Mayo, the Mothers marched around the Pyramid—as they have done every Thursday since 1977—demanding justice for their children and others. At yesterday's march, two names resonated strongly among those who accompanied them. The case of Santiago Maldonado, a young man who disappeared 17 days ago—last seen trying to flee a Gendarmerie operation in the territory of the Pu Lof Cushamen community (Chubut)—and that of Ayelén Gómez, a 31-year-old trans woman murdered, whose body was found under the bleachers of the Lawn Tennis Club in San Miguel de Tucumán on Saturday. At 3:30 in the afternoon, the Mothers began their march. Trans activists joined them. Lara Bertolini and Alma Fernández—from Tucumán like Ayelén and her friend of many years—joined the group led by Nora Cortiñas, of the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo Founding Line. After the march, those who had marched with the Mothers of Plaza de Mayo Association gathered to one side to listen to the words of Hebe de Bonafini and other speakers. After her political analysis, Hebe gave the floor to Marlene Wayar.

"Now we begin the trans vigil for Ayelen Gómez and for all trans people," said @marlenewayar in Plaza de Mayo. pic.twitter.com/C5IkLjpokx

— Presentes Agency (@PresentesLGBT) August 17, 2017

The activist gave her the pink scarf from the Lohana Berkins Collective. "I was trained at the University of the Mothers," she said. Then Marlene told Ayelén's story and recalled that she had reported two police officers from San Miguel de Tucumán for raping and abusing her.

[NOW] "Ayelen returned to Tucumán, but she had filed a complaint against the police there and was found murdered" pic.twitter.com/6zvSSpSOLU

— Presentes Agency (@PresentesLGBT) August 17, 2017

“We are fed up. All we came to ask for is a hug. We came with the Mothers so they could embrace us in this plea for justice for Ayelen Gómez. They have always been there for us,” said Marlene, her voice filled with emotion. Afterwards, the activists circled the pyramid and demanded #StopTransMurders, accompanied by other organizations and by Ayelén's classmates from the Mocha Celis Trans Popular High School where she studied while living in Buenos Aires. "We need our deaths to count. To be part of this country's emotional agenda," said Violeta Alegre, one of the activists who organized the event. The afternoon continued in the plaza with an open class in which Ayelén del Mocha Celis's teacher participated. She read texts written by her classmates in her memory. Several students also shared their testimonies. Marlene Wayar proposed: “Let’s create a new pedagogy. Let’s learn to embrace each other and connect. Let’s be revolutionary,” she said. And she invited everyone to collectively embrace transvestites and trans people.   "Why does nobody say anything about how the media portrays our bodies and our lives after we are murdered?" Alma Fernández demanded.   "Language must also be our battleground. We have to learn that love is what we build."   The transvestite vigil followed the intervention in Plaza de Mayo with chants and music.

[NOW] #StopTransMurders In the middle of a trans vigil to remember Ayelén Gómez and demand justice for her murder in Plaza de Mayo pic.twitter.com/zaXYUMAvaQ

— Presentes Agency (@PresentesLGBT) August 17, 2017

Also present were Sasha Sacayán (MAL), Darío Arias (Conurbanos por la Diversidad), Claudia Vega (Asociación por un Mundo Igualitario), Daniela Ruiz, and Martín Canevaro (Conurbanos por la Diversidad). The vigil concluded near midnight with the same cry with which it had begun: Justice for Ayelén Gómez and all women. ]]>