The following article has been contributed by Grace Pérez, Coordinator of Brides’ March. October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
On Sunday, September 26, 2010, in New York City, for the tenth year in a row, an estimated 100 women dressed in wedding gowns, along with the family of Gladys Ricart and other families of murdered victims of domestic violence, marched through the streets of Washington Heights, High Bridge, Mott Haven, Central Harlem, East Harlem, Flatbush, Crown Heights, Downtown Brooklyn and across the Brooklyn Bridge to memorialize Gladys Ricart and the many others who have lost their lives to family violence.
The Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk, also known as the Brides’ March, is an annual event held every September 26, since 2001 to remember Ms. Ricart who was murdered in her wedding dress by her abusive former boyfriend on the day she was to wed her fiancé. Because the wedding dress, the emblem of happiness and everlasting love, has been forever tainted in the Latino community by Gladys’ murder, it is a meaningful and compelling symbol for the New York Latinas Against Domestic Violence, the main organizers of the March. And just as battered women feel when domestic violence exists in their lives—broken, shattered, damaged, dispirited, dirty, torn and tattered—is how the once beautiful dresses become by the end of the walk.
The Brides’ March also mourns the many others who have lost their lives in family related homicides which include intimate partner homicide as well as homicides committed by other family members and includes children who were killed as a result of family violence. According to the NYC Mayor’s Office to Combat Domestic Violence there were 61 family-related homicides in New York City in 2009; 70 in 2008; 48 in 2007; 71 in 2006; 68 in 2005; 67 in 2004; 74 in 2003; and 76 in 2002. From January to June 30, of this year, there have been 35 family-related homicides in New York City. This includes the horrific murders of Jessica Ybe and her two daughters—Jelyhanna 5 and Sasha who on the day of the March, September 26, would have been celebrating her third birthday.
The Mission of the Brides’ March is to raise awareness about the devastating effects of this horrific crime on families and communities, education on the issue and provide information on resources available to victims and batterers.
The March serves to also brings together different organizations, institutions, domestic violence survivors and providers, elected officials and women, men and youths from the City and throughout the tri-state to publicly denounce this antisocial behavior and send the message that family violence is a crime and will not be tolerated.
Domestic Violence is a pattern of coercive behaviors by one individual to establish power and control over another person with whom an intimate relationship exists or has existed. Domestic violence manifests in fear and intimidation and often includes the threat or use of violence.
In commemoration of the 10th Annual Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk, New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg proclaimed Sunday, September 26, 2010, in the City of New York as: “Brides’ March Day”
For information and/or services available in New York City, call NYC Domestic Violence Hotline (800-621-4673; TDD 866-604-5350). In the Washington Height community call Nuevo Amanezer (212-568-6616). In East Harlem, the Bronx and Queens calls the Violence Intervention Program (800-664-5880). Or call the New York State Domestic Violence Hotline (800-942-6906) or the National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233).
To view pictures of the 10th Annual Brides’ March or for information on or to participate in the 2011 Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk, visit www.BridesMarch.com.
Grace Pérez
Brides’ March Coordinator
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