Rudy Cesena Jr. could only hold back the tears for so long, as his daughter got up to hug him while he spoke.
“As the father of a 17-year-old daughter who’s been considering the military for the last few years, it’s very scary,” Cesena said. “It is not scary because of the risk of war. It’s scary for what happens on the bases. It’s scary for how it’s hidden. It’s scary how nothing is being done in a timely manner. Then, something like this happens, and I have to tell her, ‘Look Mia. This is what I’m talking about.’”
Cesena and others expressed their outrage Sunday at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Main Street in downtown Longmont. In a year full of national crises many acknowledged it is hard to find time to remember Army Spc. Vanessa Guillen. But forgetting about her recent murder and the systematic abuse that may have contributed to it, is not an option for them either.
Guillen, a 20-year-old Mexican American soldier, went missing on April 22 from Fort Hood in Texas and was later found dead on June 30. Army officials at Fort Hood identified two suspects in her death, 20-year-old Spc. Aaron David Robinson of Illinois, and Cecily Anne Aguilar, a 22-year-old Kileen, Texas resident, according to USA Today. Robinson died July 1 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to Army officials.
Guillen’s family has maintained she was sexually harassed by superiors at Fort Hood. The Army has stated there is no evidence linking sexual harassment to her disappearance and death. U.S. Army officials announced Friday they will begin an independent review of the command climate at Fort Hood following calls from members of Congress and community activists for a more thorough investigation into Guillen's death, according to the Associated Press.
“At the end of the day she helped show us that there (are) systemic problems,” Longmont City Councilman Aren Rodriguez said. “When you have somebody that comes to light saying that the price of admittance into the good ol’ boys system is sexual harassment, that is a systemic issue. It’s not just Vanessa. So many people, not just at Fort Hood, but in many other places in our military system, need change.”
In the afternoon sun, members of Kalpulli Tlahuitzcalli performed a traditional Mexica (Aztec) ceremony and danced for over 30 minutes. They commanded the attention of more than 50 attendees who held signs demanding justice for Guillen, and others in the military who have become victims of harassment, abuse or worse. Honking car horns of support echoed throughout the gathering.
“My daughter is in South Korea right now,” said Maria Palomares, the mother of three active-duty service members. “I’m freaking out. Her schedule right now is a midnight schedule. Since I heard about Vanessa, I’m calling my daughter every single day, asking her to walk with me on her way back to her barrack. I can’t live like this. You have to support every single female. If they want to join the service, if they want to be a mechanic, everyone should be respected. ”
The event, organized by Longmont residents Stephanie Alverez and David Montelongo, concluded with more calls to action and a march up Main Street.
“Every day, another soldier comes out and speaks and says what happened to them because of Vanessa,” Montelongo said. “That’s why we’re here today, to demand justice. Not only for Vanessa but for our troops because they deserve it.”
Correction: The traditional Mexica dance was performed by Kalpulli Tlahuitzcalli. The name of the group was incorrect in the original posting of this story, as was the spelling of Mexica.
