Cross-posted from Black Feminists. Trigger Warning.
Today and tomorrow two Argentinian sisters are standing trial for the attempted murder for their longtime sexual harasser.
For years Ailen and Marina Jara (19 and 21) were harassed in their neighbourhood, by the same man. One day, over two years ago, their abuser got out a gun and tried to rape one of the sisters. The other, used to this harassment and wanting to defend her sister, got out a 10cm kitchen knife from her knapsack and stabbed him. The man was not seriously hurt and the sisters felt they had acted in legitimate self-defense and therefore handed the weapon to the Argentine police.
The sexual harasser however has a close relationship with the police and managed to have the sisters arrested for attempted murder. Since then, there has been some serious mishandling of their statements and they have languished in jail for over two years. In that time they have been beaten and denied medical assistance.
Those campaigning on the sisters behalf are looking to provide support to the sisters so that they know they are not alone and will not be forgotten. You can send an email showing your solidarity to this address: libertadailenymarina@hotmail.com
Live coverage of the trial in Spanish can be heard here.
For more info in Spanish here is our blog post.
– Hollaback Buenos Aires
