In memory of the missed

The Intersectional Feminist Student Organization at UTRGV held a memorial named Missing In The Border, honoring individuals near the U.S.-Mexican border who have been deemed missing. 

Cindy Ruiz, president of IFSO and criminal justice junior, said she believes the reason behind individuals disappearing can be a result of femicide, which is the murdering or trafficking  of women.

Missing person cases hit close to home for Ruiz, as a criminal justice major. Her sister, Pamela Sarahí Ruiz Zamudio, came up with the idea after her friend, Anai Osoria Lerma, disappeared in April of 2012.

“May this struggle not end and may we still have health to continue looking for them and find peace and justice,” Zamudio said in a statement emailed to Pulse.

During the memorial, Ruiz talked about Lerma to the attendees and expressed how important it is to have hope.   

Organizations, such as the Young Democratic Socialists of America on campus and Sunrise RGV, a group focusing on pollution awareness to spread the word to the campus community were present.

Ruiz personally curated the playlist of music played during the evening, with songs largely from the Huapango genre, a genre of Mexican music that Ruiz felt was relevant to the topic at hand. 

“Some songs are about folklore, some others are related to how people have disappeared in their communities,” Ruiz said.

According to Ruiz, the issues of femicide do not get brought up as much as they should be. In her mind, she said that the disappearances of people in the community are very, very alarming. 

“I think we should focus on that instead of attacking each other,” Ruiz said.

There are resources available for families going through a similar situation. 

Women Count USA, a femicide accountability project, has a website with numbers and organizations for women who seek help.