Thousands of people marched against transvesticide, transfemicide, and transhomicide in Buenos Aires
More than 5,000 people marched to protest violence and demand a law for historical reparations and the effective implementation of the employment quota. See Presentes' coverage.
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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina. “Sir, Madam, don’t be indifferent, transvestites are being killed right in front of everyone,” was the cry that kicked off the 8th Plurinational Anti-Racist March against Transvesticide, Transfemicide and Transhomicide, which took place, as it has for the past eight years, on June 28, the day on which LGBT Pride is celebrated around the world.
The main march, attended by more than 5,000 people, began in Plaza de Mayo and proceeded to the Argentine National Congress. Among its main demands was justice for Sofi Fernández, a trans woman who was found dead in a police station. They also demanded the enactment of a law for historical reparations, justice for Tehuel, effective implementation of the trans and travesti employment quota law, an end to institutional violence, and other demands.
The testimonies
Cristal de Gondolín, Diana Sacayan, La Muñeca, La Condesa. These are some of the names that appear intertwined on the railings of the pyramids in Plaza de Mayo, in front of the Casa Rosada.
The action is by Las históricas argentinas , there Patricia Alexandra Rivas, told Presentes : "we are remembering the fallen comrades persecuted by police edicts, let's hope that this never happens again, that future generations do not live what we had to live through."
Activist Violeta Alegre . "We are weaving slips of paper with the names of people murdered for different reasons as an act of remembrance. We dyed the fountain magenta; we are creating memory and a sense of community."
“Today Tehuel De la Torre was unable to go out and march,” Alma Fernández, who has been marching every June 28th for eight years, Presentes
“For me, it’s exciting to be here sharing with my colleagues. And remembering that there is much work to be done, many alliances to be forged. That we have to be careful in how we make those alliances, understanding the inequalities and trying to work together,” Brigitte Vasallo Presentes .
Marlene Wayar was also one of the leading figures at the massive demonstration. “We continue to die, they continue to kill us, they continue to harass us, they continue to create concrete life situations that kill us .
" It's insane what society has hegemonically built all this time. We remain segregated and forgotten despite all the laws the national government has put in place," said Marcela Tobaldi of La Rosa Naranja .
“We, trans women, are making our mark. Many of our sisters continue to be murdered in jail cells and nobody says anything about it. We trans women are here to say, 'stop killing us',” said Daniela Ruiz, activist and human rights defender, member of the Siete Colores Diversidad Civil Association .
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From the stage
The reading of a lengthy and powerful document took place late into the night on the stage of Congress. Representatives from various groups and family members of victims of transphobic murders were present.
“What’s wrong, can’t you see? We’re not all here because Tehuel is still missing,” they chanted from the stage. There, Norma Nahuelcura, the mother of the young man who disappeared on March 11, 2021, spoke. “ I want justice for Tehuel . And I don’t want this case to drag on. They told me 2027, but what I’m asking is for it to be sooner. The family can’t keep waiting. I’m dying inside because my son isn’t here, and all I want is justice. I’m not asking for anything else.”
Laura Moreyra, sister of Cynthia, a trans woman murdered in Tucumán in 2018, also spoke. justice for Cynthia for five years and five months . Today we know who her murderers are.”
The sister of Sofi Fernández, a woman found dead at the 5th police station in Derqui, said, “Sofi was found dead. Today we know that no one commits suicide in a police station. Knowing Sofi, even less so. There are police officers involved here, and the case is stalled. We've never been through anything like this; it's the first time we've experienced this. I'm sorry that so many people like me are demanding justice for a sister.”
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The document
“We march to reclaim the struggles of our comrades who, despite pain, hunger, erasure, silence, and violence, imagined a world that could shelter us. We want to recognize the legacy of Diana Sacayán, Eugenio Talbot Wright, Lohana Berkins, Maite Amaya, and so many others throughout our beautiful territory.”
“We march because we demand that our right to a dignified life be respected, to grow up in peace and with love, without violence or persecution.”
“We march so that our families and friends do not fear for us and so that those who have lost their family members, friends, and companions due to transvesticide, transfemicide, and transhomicide can obtain justice and dignified treatment.”
“We march to demand reparations for the brutality of social and economic exclusion, institutional violence, the justification of torture based on our identities, the lack of access to the full exercise of our political rights, and the mistreatment of the children we once were.”
“We march to demand once again access to housing, justice, land, work, comprehensive health and education.”
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