This is Mumia Abu-Jamal introducing for Prison Radio the statement of Nestora Salgado. Nestora Salgado is an indigenous leader and a political prisoner in Mexico. She is a naturalized U.S. citizen who lives in Renton, Washington, with her husband, daughters, and grandchildren. Four years ago she began making trips back to the Mexican state of Guerrero to deliver clothing and supplies to the desperately poor residents of her hometown. In the process she became the elected leader of an Indigenous community police force, which successfully defended the population from the violence of drug cartels and corrupt government officials. In response, the corrupt officials arrested Salgado in August of 2013, on false charges and sent her to a maximum security prison hundreds of miles away. 16 months later, despite a ruling by a Mexican federal judge that Salgado be released, she remains in prison, held in isolation, and denied urgently needed medical care.
The murder of 43 activist students two months ago in Guerrero has led to massive protests across Mexico and forced the resignation of several government officials. The students were from a rural teachers college in Ayotzinapa, not far from Nestora’s hometown. It was students from this same school that blocked highways and a standoff with the Mexican military the day after Nestora and other Indigenous community police leaders were arrested in 2013. This is why Nestora Salgado was moved to record a message of solidarity through the student rallies protesting the disappearances of the 43. Nestora Salgado’s family and supporters in Seattle, Washington, initiated the Freedom for Nestora campaign, which has gained broad support across the U.S. and Mexico. They’re calling for the release of Sagado and all political prisoners in Mexico for respect for Indigenous rights and an end to U.S. military aid to Mexico. They’re also insisting that the U.S. State Department, which has been silent about Sagado’s illegal incarceration for 16 months, finally intervene to help bring her home. To find out how you can support the Freedom for Nestora campaign, or to make a contribution, visit www.freenestora.org. For Prison Radio this is Mumia Abu-Jamal.
These commentaries are recorded by Noel Hanrahan of Prison Radio.
