MEXICO: Mass held for murdered anti-crime activist Marisela Escobedo Ortiz one month after her death

Record ID: 301613

  • Title: MEXICO: Mass held for murdered anti-crime activist Marisela Escobedo Ortiz one month after her death
  • Date: 19th January 2011
  • Summary: CIUDAD JUAREZ, CHIHUAHUA, MEXICO (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF PEOPLE IN CHURCH CRYING FOR ESCOBEDO ROSES VARIOUS OF MOURNERS VISITING HER COFFIN
  • Embargoed: 3rd February 2011 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico, Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA8H2KX87QOUIJHSZGERRLOIB8H
  • Story Text: Supporters mark the anniversary of the killing of activist Marisela Escobedo, who became a household name in Mexico after launching a campaign to bring the killers of her murdered daughter to justice.
    Dozens of protesters heard Mass outside the Government Palace of Chihuahua on Sunday (January 16) one month after anti-crime crusader Marisela Escobedo Ortiz was shot at the same spot.
    A bishop from Saltillo, Raul Vera, who defends human rights gave the Mass in the city of Chihuahua. Escobedo's death sparked outrage and sadness throughout Mexico.
    Escobedo was gunned down on December 16 outside the Government Palace as she attempted to flee from a man who had appeared to exchange words with her as she held a vigil outside the governor's office in the northern city of Chihuahua. A security camera captured the grisly moment.
    Escobedo was still alive when she was taken to the hospital, but died shortly after her arrival.
    In 2009, the remains of Escobedo's 17-year-old daughter, Rubi Frayre Escobedo, were found in a trash can in the crime-plagued border city of Ciudad Juarez after she disappeared a year earlier.
    Sergio Barraza, the main suspect in the teenager's murder was released for lack of evidence earlier this year, and officials suspect him in Escobedo's killing as well.
    Mourners lined up at her coffin in Ciudad Juarez and on Sunday demonstrators again took to the streets to protest against Mexico's justice system.
    "For us the state has failed to provide security for women. They (government) try to minimize the events and present them as isolated cases; they have failed to give the murders the necessary importance. The Mexican state is condemned because it has not done enough to stop the crimes of women and that sends a message to criminals that if you kill a woman in Juarez, there will be no consequences," said demonstrator, Jero Fong.
    Protesters marched throughout the streets of Chihuahua city holding banners that read: "Not One More Death."
    Another demonstrator, Amanda Magallanes, said Escobedo's death had brought the subject of murdered women to light again.
    "We have returned a theme from the rubble, something that wants to be covered up and wanted to be left to one side, the murder of women. They are killing them and nothing is being done. We don't see a reply from authorities."
    The protesters added Escobedo's name to a crucifix where the names of female victims have been tied to.
    Following the discovery of her daughter's remains, Escobedo launched an anti-crime campaign, appearing at numerous marches and giving speeches.
    Escobedo had set up a vigil outside the office of Chihuahua governor Cesar Duarte saying she would not move until there was progress on the case, although she told a Brazilian newspaper she had received death threats from Barraza's family.
    Duarte said he would launch an investigation into security assigned to protect Escobedo and has called on the state's top court to suspend the three judges who ordered the release of Barraza in April.
    Another women's rights activist and poet, Susana Chavez, was killed in Ciudad Juarez this month.
    Questions none
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