LatinaLista — On St. Patrick’s Day, visitors to Miami Beach for Spring Break, are bound to do a double-take. Instead of seeing bikini-clad women, with maybe a hint of something green, they’ll be seeing a parade of women dressed in white from head-to-toe, wearing wedding veils and carrying signs as part of an unique event to raise awareness of domestic violence.
It’s called The Brides March Against Domestic Violence and was started in 2001 to commemorate the death of a young Dominican woman named Gladys Ricart. Gladys was murdered by an abusive ex-boyfriend in front of her family and bridesmaids.
Why?
Because he couldn’t stand the thought of Gladys marrying someone else.
Since then, ALIANZA: National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence, has incorporated this Bridal March into their national conference to make more people aware of domestic violence and the deadly consequences suffered from it.
Women who participate in the Bridal March either wear a bridal gown or dress all in white. ALIANZA supplies the wedding veils on a first come-first served basis. Men who participate are asked to either dress all in black or wear a black armband.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone of any race, age, sexual orientation, religion or gender. It can happen to couples who are married, living together or who are dating. Domestic violence can affect all individuals regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds, education levels race, belief, religion, genderor sexual orientation.
The following is a poem written to honor Gladys Ricart:
Bride to BeThe Invitations
The Cake
Honey Moon PlanDid You Hear About This Wedding?
No?
But Now
You Can!Today We’re
All Invited
To Hold Each
Other’s HandLook Carefully
For Signs
Of Violence
Report Them
If You CanDid You Hear About This Wedding?
Never Happened
Because Of A Violent Man
Gun In HandGladys Walks
The Aisle
In The Spirit
Of The LightHer Bride’s March
Is Now Seen
Throughout The LandBridesmaid’s Bouquets
And Flowers Bloom
In Every Woman and ManDid You Hear About This Wedding?
Now You HaveIn Memory Of Gladys Ricart
Shot To Death in Front Of All Her Bridesmaids
In 1999 By Her Ex-boyfriend
In A Rage Of Jealousy
Because He Could Not Accept Her Marrying
Another Man.Help Stop Domestic Violence. Keep Love Safe.
© Diana L. Joe, 2010, for Alianza, the National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence
In remembrance to Gladys Ricart and victims who have lost their lives to DV
Comment(2)
Dorothy Villanueva
This is a crying shame, very sad. We have to stand in unison sisters, stop violence against women and children..
jen colon
Domestic violance is happening everyday. I know because I lived it for 13 yrs. until one day god came to me and gave me the courage to escape. and I can honestly say that I had no help. Not from family, friends or the system. There needs to be more resources for women who need help. It needs to be made avaible to all women and it needs to be real help. with people how understand the need and how serious domestic violance is.