In Memoriam: V-Day Activist/San Diego City College Cast Member Diana Gonzalez
10/29/2010
On October 12th, V-Day activist and The Vagina Monologues cast member at San Diego City College's upcoming V-Day production, Diana Gonzalez, was found dead in a men's room at the college's downtown campus. Diana was 19-years old, studying to become a nurse and the mother of a 10-month-old baby girl. The main person of interest in the death is her husband Armando Gabriel Perez. In September, Gonzalez filed a police report accusing Perez of kidnapping her from the campus and repeatedly assaulting her while holding her captive in motel rooms for several days. Authorities jailed Perez, and the police department's domestic violence unit investigated the case and forwarded it to the district attorney's office, which declined to file charges citing "a lack of evidence." Ms. Gonzalez recently obtained a restraining order against her husband, however it had not yet been served on him at the time of her death. Police are still searching for Perez.
All of us at V-Day are deeply saddened and outraged by this and our sympathies go out to her family and friends. Diana was a part of the global V-Day community and she will be sorely missed. Though it can be hard to move forward in difficult times such as these, Diana's story serves as a sad and striking reminder of why we do this work, why ending violence against women and girls is so crucial for the future of our planet, and why raising awareness about the issue is integral. Diana is in our thoughts as we enter the 2011 V-Season, we continue to work every day in honor of Diana and the countless other victims and survivors, to keep women safe, until the violence stops.
How you can help: "Funds for the Daughter of Diana Gonzalez"
A scholarship has been established for Diana's 10-month-old daughter. Check donations should be written to the San Diego City College Foundation; 1313 Park Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101. Please designate the name of the account for your donation. Donations can also be dropped off in the City College Student Accounting Office, A-114. FOR MORE INFORMATION >
NEWS: Husband, 37, hunted after teen wife's slaying (MSNBC) >