The UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center will co-host an international conference with Amnesty International today through Sunday, covering the murders of over 300 women in Mexico that have been taking place for over 10 years.
This weekend marks the 10th anniversary since the kidnappings and murders first took place, and they continue to occur unabated without response from the Mexican government, according to a press release from the Chicana/o Studies department.
The bodies of over 300 women who were typically factory workers were found burned, beaten and mutilated. More than 90 of those murdered women were also found to have been raped.
“We hope people will come out to the conference to learn about the murders, and will call for an immediate end to these killings,” said Mario Tafur, a member of the Arts for Amnesty, an Amnesty International group that calls for people in the arts and entertainment fields to profile the killings through their works.
The conference was designed to continue to raise awareness of the murders and to call for direct action from the Mexican government.
“Having a high profile event at a top research university brings more international attention to the issue at hand,” said Chon Noriega, director of the UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center. He said more than 800 people are registered to attend.
All keynote speakers and discussions will take place in Ackerman Grand Ballroom, and the art unveiling will be held in Fowler Museum.
Speakers are scheduled to discuss why the crimes are taking place, how they continue to take place without much response from the Mexican government, as well as how the use of art can help raise awareness of the murders.
Mothers of some victims will take part in discussion groups. One scheduled keynote speaker is Eve Ensler, founder and artistic director of V-Day, which is an international movement to end violence against women.
“Our main goal is to bring more attention to these murders, which have been going on for 10 years. It has only been in the past year that the United States has begun to look into the murders,” Noriega said.
The UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center said it has been difficult for the groups working on this issue in Mexico to get the government and police to respond.
Student groups are also getting involved with the conference in order to promote awareness.
“Every year for Dia de los Muertos, we focus on an international social injustice. This year, we decided to inform students of the Juarez City murders because it is the 10 year anniversary,” said Cristina Lopez, coordinator for student organization Conciencia Libre which focuses on international issues that concern students.
The research center said it feels the conference can bring everyone together to lead to better investigation and a better understanding of why these murders are taking place.