Aug 23 2007
Accountability in the Death of Victoria Arellano
GUEST: Coral Lopez, Spokesperson for Bienestar
A wrongful death lawsuit filed by the family of Victoria Arellano charges that she was denied vital medical care at an immigration detention center in San Pedro. Arellano, an undocumented transgender woman set to be deported, suffered from HIV-AIDS while detained. Her condition significantly deteriorated while in custody until she was transferred to a local area hospital only to die a few days later on July 20th. During detention, Arellano reportedly vomited blood as detainees were left to clean up afterwards. Despite facing deportation, more than seventy detainees signed onto a petition to demand that she receive immediate medical care. The attorney for the family contends that proper medical care and attention could have prevented Arellano’s death. A candlelight vigil organized by the Arellano family in memory of Victoria will take place this Monday outside of the Federal Building in Los Angeles. Participants in the vigils will be demanding accountability in the death of Victoria Arellano.
For more information about the vigil, call 323-727-7896 and visit www.bienestar.org
2 Responses to “Accountability in the Death of Victoria Arellano”
Thank you. This is so important. I am so sorry for what Victoria suffered, and my heart goes out to her and her family.
Very tragic =( I knew of this incidence but did not know the gender of the person. I wonder if any gender rights related advocacy work is being done surrounding this, and if her lack of treatment was a result of discrimination.