Activists and relatives of Mary Mora To Gather in NYC Tomorrow— Will Use ‘Art As Activism’

STARR NYC & ARM THE GIRLS

Press Release *For Immediate Release*

On Saturday July 29th 2023 from 1-4pm members of the TLGBQ+ Community will gather at Marsha P Johnson Memorial Fountain in Hudson River Park to honor the life of Mary Mora, a 26 year old Trans woman of color who passed away several weeks ago.

• The group has asked those who plan on attending the vigil to bring fresh flowers to honor both Mary and Marsha P Johnson. The flowers will be used in a public art installation which will take place as a part of the vigil

• Relatives and friends of Ms Mora will speak out against a decades-long pattern of willful negligence and victim blaming by authorities where TGNC victims and survivors of violent crime are concerned

• Activists and historians have drawn comparisons between how the NYPD mishandled Ms Mora’s and, the way the department mishandled Marsha P Johnson’s case

• Both women were found deceased on July 6th and, both women received threats shortly before they died (three decades apart)

• The Detective assigned to Ms Mora’s case, Det Gerberth of the 46th Pct, has a history of race and gender based violence as well as assortment of other civil rights violations. Several community groups have expressed concerns with his handling of the case, and have suggested that Ms Mora’s case be reassigned

https://gothamist.com/news/nypd-cop-who-broke-black-womans-home-and-shouted-racist-threat-still-job

https://www.50-a.org/officer/WWL9

• Organizers are calling on local and state officials to expand oversight of the NYPD aimed at reducing the chance that departmental culture, such as anti-TGNC bias and discrimination will prevent victims and survivors of violent crime from receiving the justice and answers they deserve

For more information please contact maxwellviceinfo@yahoo.com Mariah4change@gmail.com

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