Reviving Memory Through Collective Resistance: A Call for Justice and Truth
On the steps of the Statue of Liberty this past Sunday, I mobilized over fifty individuals to transform our shared pain into a powerful act of remembrance and demand. Our gathering aimed to spotlight the plight of 238 men who have been unlawfully detained and disappeared into the notorious CECOT detention center in El Salvador, urging the world to acknowledge their plight and seek justice.
The Power of Art as Resistance
In 2019, I engaged with a community of women seeking asylum, who recounted their harrowing experiences in a detention facility in southern Texas. For months, they endured inhumane conditions-being denied basic hygiene, forced to bleed through their clothing during interrogations, and fed spoiled food. Despite these brutal circumstances designed to break their spirits, they organized a collective cry for freedom, known as llanto de libertad. One evening, over a thousand women raised their voices in unison-a deafening, defiant scream that echoed their demand for liberation.
Imagine the scene: armed guards watching as these women, in their vulnerability, refused to be silenced. They believed that if the outside world heard their cries, they would be rescued. Yet, their voices went unheard, and no aid arrived. Their llanto de libertad has haunted me ever since-a testament to their resilience and a warning that we ignored their suffering at our peril. They weren’t merely pleading for their freedom; they were warning us of the injustices unfolding behind closed doors.
The Recent Abuses and Government Deception
In March, under the guise of national interest, our government forcibly deported 238 Venezuelan men to CECOT, a detention facility infamous for its brutal conditions. Some of these individuals were seeking asylum or had legitimate legal grounds to remain in the United States. Instead of due process, they were detained overnight, branded as enemies, and disappeared into a foreign detention system-an act justified under the outdated Alien Enemies Act of the 18th century.
Despite official claims that these men are “uncertain,” no concrete evidence has been presented to substantiate such assertions. Authorities have repeatedly misled courts and the public, fabricating narratives to justify their actions. These human rights violations are rooted in government lies, designed to manipulate collective memory and erode our core values. This pattern of deception is characteristic of authoritarian regimes, which seek to silence dissent and rewrite history to serve their interests.
Art as a Beacon of Truth in Oppressive Times
Throughout history, art has served as a vital tool for preserving memory and resisting oppression. From ancient cave paintings to contemporary murals, creative expression has documented human struggles and defied attempts at erasure. Around the world, social movements have harnessed art to challenge authoritarian narratives and keep the flame of truth alive.
In Chile, the Brigada Ramona Parra (BRP) used muralism to reclaim public spaces under Pinochet’s dictatorship, transforming walls into vibrant symbols of resistance. Their murals told stories that the regime sought to suppress, turning public art into a form of collective memory and defiance. Similarly, in Argentina, the Mothers of the Plaza de Mayo turned silent marches into powerful acts of protest, using their presence and maternal symbolism to confront state violence and demand accountability.
In Colombia, the neighborhood of La Columna 13 in Medellín exemplifies how art and culture can serve as resistance. Once a hub of violence and neglect, it has been transformed through hip-hop, graffiti, and dance-tools that empower youth to reclaim their narratives, document trauma, and foster community resilience. These acts of creative resistance demonstrate that art is not merely decorative but a vital instrument for social change.
Collective Action and the Spirit of Resistance
On Sunday, as our voices reverberated against the iconic statue, we stood rooted in a shared act of defiance. Our bodies refused to move, embodying the sacredness of this moment-an act of remembrance and resistance. Amidst the cold wind, a ray of sunlight broke through the clouds just as I began to recite the names of the 238 men disappeared into CECOT. Each name was a breath, a hurt, a warning-a ritual of acknowledgment and refusal to forget.
From silence, we erupted into a collective scream-our llanto de libertad-a demand for justice and the release of those unlawfully detained. This act of collective mourning and resistance underscores the power of community to challenge oppressive silence and uphold truth.
Art as a Legacy of Resistance
Art has always been intertwined with memory-etched into the fabric of human history through cave paintings, woven into textiles, and painted on city walls. It is through art that societies have preserved their stories, especially in times of violence and suppression. Globally, movements have relied on creative expression to resist erasure and demand justice.
In Chile, murals have become symbols of collective memory, while in Argentina, the Mothers’ silent marches have spoken volumes. In Medellín, hip-hop has transformed a marginalized neighborhood into a hub of cultural resistance, turning pain into poetry and trauma into testimony. These examples affirm that art is not passive; it is an active force capable of confronting power, preserving history, and inspiring change.
A Call to Action and Reflection
As our screams echoed around the Statue of Liberty, I was struck by the profound sense of sacred duty we shared. Our collective presence was a testament to the resilience of those who refuse to be silenced. When my friend Yara Travieso, a fierce Venezuelan activist, declared, “Our desire for liberation is stronger than our fear of repression,” it resonated deeply. Her words became a mantra-a guiding light amid uncertainty and struggle.
Let these words serve as a compass for all of us. In the face of repression, misinformation, and historical erasure, our collective voice and creative resistance remain our most potent tools. We must continue to remember, to speak out, and to demand justice for those who have been silenced. Our shared history and future depend on it.
About the Author
Paola Mendoza is a filmmaker, activist, and coauthor of Together We Rise, Sanctuary, and SOLIS. Her work consistently champions social justice, human rights, and the power of storytelling to foster change.
