This article originally appeared on Millenation.com in 2015.
On Saturday, September 26, 2015 a group of activists marched through Manhattan, NY to bring awareness to domestic violence. The 15th annual Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk kicked off at Monroe College in the Bronx. The march is named after Gladys Ricart who was murdered on her wedding day by her abusive ex-boyfriend on September 26, 1999.
According to Domestic Violence Statistics, everyday in the US, more than three women are murdered by their husbands or boyfriends. The New York Latinas Against Domestic Violence's mission is to raise awareness of domestic violence and its consequences in New York City. A large part of their mission is provide resources, services, and bilingual information on domestic violence within the Latino community.
The NY Latinas Against Domestic Violence have a multi-faceted agenda that includes a nationwide march, facilitating dialogue on a national level within the Latino community, and memorializing Gladys Ricart, and all others killed as a result of domestic violence. The grassroots organization of the march is a testament to the power of community engagement. Women of color have a historical effectiveness when organizing around change. Although women are at the helm of the effort, they encourage men to stand in solidarity and work together.
Unfortunately, domestic violence is not specific race or socioeconomic class. It is a pervasive and global issue that requires a global answer.