My translation of two communiques released on September 28. [Spanish original] [Original post regarding the murder of Sali]
The Children of Santa Maria Yaviche Demand Justice in the Death of Marsella Sali Grace
September 28, 2008
TO THE HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION
TO SOCIAL ORGANIZATIONS
TO THE OTHER CAMPAIGN
TO ALL PEOPLE WITH A GOOD HEART
The children of Santa Maria Yaviche, Oaxaca, want to let you know that our hearts today are in mourning for a comrade from CIPO-RFM (Popular Indigenous Council of Oaxaca - Ricardo Flores Magon), with whom we shared experiences, sadness, fears, happiness, amongst other feelings. Yes! We are speaking of this big-hearted friend, "Marsella Sali Grace."
Her fight was mainly that women and children be free and respected, her form of expressing her sentiments was to paint banners, to make posters among other forms of rebellion, except violence.
We children are a new generation, we bring new and different ideas, different feelings, different forms of expressing ourselves, but we should have the same goal of remaking the state of Oaxaca so that there is justice and freedom!
Justice has three meanings: not only that those guilty of whatever crime are jailed, but that they also don't reoffend and that the victim, in this case Marsella Sali Grace, is always remembered fondly and that her death was for a just cause.
At the same time, what Sali Grace taught us and learned from us will not be in vain, it is a step to continue forward, to finish what Sali Grace started, trying to make the state of Oaxaca better.
Unfortunately, we don't have her with us anymore because she was murdered, suffering a painful and slow death.
For their part, the authorities did not start an investigation and they have the suspect now because he confessed to his friends that he had killed Sali Grace, and thanks to our comrades who were friends with her they brought him to the authorities. (Source: La Jornada)
Because of this: the children of Santa Maria Yaviche demand the complete clarification regarding the death of our comrade and friend Marsella Sali Grace.
Justice for our comrade Marsella Sali Grace
A real investigation into the case of Brad
Freedom for APPO and Atenco political prisoners
THOSE WHO CREATED THIS DOCUMENT
Wilfrido Flores Martinez
Semei Flores Martinez
Gennifer Perez Yllescas
Dulce Maria Perez Yllescas
Almadelia Flores Yescas
Elizabeth Flores Yescas
Emmanuel Flores Yescas
Alejandro Flores Yescas
Enough of the killing of those who fight for justice
My name is Wilfrido Flores Martinez
I am 13 years old
I am from Santa Maria Yaviche
I want to share a feeling that at this moment is invading my soul, and it is because of the death of a great friend and comrade, Marsella Sali Grace. She provided international accompaniment for the CIPO-RFM (Popular Indigenous Council of Oaxaca - Ricardo Flores Magon) and because of this she came to visit us in our village of Santa Maria Yaviche, because of this many children knew here and shared with her happiness and sadness.
She was here in our village this past June. With her we were drawing, painting posters and banners, so that through these paintings people can become aware of the suffering of indigenous villages under the bad government of Ulises Ruiz Ortiz.
We think the murder of Sali Grace could be related to the governor of Oaxaca because she fought for human rights and because it is customary that when villages organize the government sends people to kill us, as is what happened here in Santa Maria Yaviche on October 16, 2003, when an armed group showed up firing at us and killed Bartolome Chavez Salas and shot my dad Francisco Flores Manzano seven times.
Until now the material and intellectual authors of this aggression against us are walking free and are considered untouchable because the government protects them.
Because of this we demand:
* Justice for our friend Marcella Sali Grace
* The arrest of those who killed Bartolome Chavez Salas.
September 28, 2008
Thanks for this. I am close with Sali's father. I wonder if any of these youth appear in Sali's Flickr pics?
Posted by: Chris | October 12, 2008 at 11:28 PM