In Memory of Brisenia Flores
By: Dr. Luis "Nacho" Quinones
From: The 2012 Raza Peace & Historical Calendar
(21st edition!)
Brisenia Flores was murdered on May 30, 2009 along with her father, Raul Flores. They were killed by anti-immigrant border vigilantes in Arivaca, Arizona. Brisenia is reported to have pleaded for her life as she was shot point blank. (Incidentally, both Brisenia and her father were US citizens.)
Shawna Forde and Gunny Bush were arrested and charged for the murders. They were sentenced to death in 2011 in Arizona. An accomplice, Albert Gaxiola, was sentenced to life without parole for his involvement. Gina Gonzales, Brisenia's mother, was also shot, but somehow survived and reported this heinous crime to the police.
The national media paid very little attention to the killing of Brisenia. Please note that another child's life was also taken several months later, but the response was much different. Christina Green, also nine years old, lost her life at a political rally in Tucson, Arizona, in January 2011 along with five other people. Christina's killing was covered throughout the nation extensively and even the President of the US attended her funeral. Little Brisenia's killing was little noted by the media even though she had her own dreams and aspirations as little Christina had hers. Both young girls deserved to live their lives to fulfill their wonderful promises.
Brisenia's killing is also a reminder of what hate rhetoric can do. When politicians fuel racial hatred against immigrants and people who they profile as "foreign" with their political hate slogans and insensitive messages, we have many violent racists who take such rhetoric to heart and are more likely to act upon their racism. We ask you that you remember Brisenia and her father and that their passing can serve as a lesson to those who exploit racism and hatred for political gain. Also, remember Christina and the five others killed in Tucson as a reminder of the right-wing political violence that exists in the US.
Que descansen en paz.
Please take a moment to read a detailed account with pictures and bio's of the killers at this blog:
http://strega5742.blogspot.com/2011/08/brisenia-flores-is-at-eternal-rest.html
WE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU OR YOUR FAMILIA BRISENIA!
NOR WILL WE FORGET THE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF OUR PEOPLE WHO HAVE DIED FROM THE HATEFUL WAR ON MEXICAN PEOPLE BY THE IMPERIAL
US
MILITARY, POLITICAL, ECONOMIC, AND PENAL SYSTEMS.
HUETEOTL LOPEZ
http://elmachete2012.blogspot.com/
