Inhuman Treatment Reality in El Salvador
Submitted by Pat Sievers (translated by Terry Margherita)
Karin Galvez’s brother is Alexander Figueroa. Police entered his home on June 30 and arrested him because he has tattoos. He and his family told the police the tattoos had no connections with gangs. Police said they would take him to the station and check, if true, he’d be released. They led him away in handcuffs. He has not returned home.
Karin is part of a protest group seeking release of friends and family. Doctors say Alexander has chronic anxiety attacks and incarceration could cause a heart attack. The protest group has asked President Nayib Bukele to listen to his heart and release these innocent people. Karin says, “All of us here have rights, and we’re asking to be heard. We voted for you; we placed our confidence in you. Before we were afraid of the gangs; now we’re afraid of the police.”
Irma Leticia Martinez Portillo, age 42, returned to El Salvador after 12 years in the US working as a chef. She got a “Virgin of Guadalupe” tattoo while in the US; police arrested her May 15. Her family learned of her arrest via a photograph of her handcuffed to a bed posted on social media. The family begs that she be released and not sent to the penitentiary. Her tattoo has nothing to do with gangs.
Ellacuria Fair Trade Sale
Sept 10-11 after all Masses in the narthex
Come stock up on:
Coffee | Olive Oil | Chocolate Bars
Cash or check only, please.
Proceeds benefit our brothers and sisters in Ellacuria, with whom we’ve been in a sister parish relationship since 1990.