A Walk for Womxn to be held in front of Parks Library
Before the football game against University of Akron on Sept. 22, a video tribute was shown honoring Celia Barquín Arozamena. Members of the audience participated in a moment of silence to remember the Cyclone gold athlete at Jack Trice Stadium. The crowd was filled with yellow, as that was Barquin Arozamena’s favorite color.
October 23, 2018
The Solidarity Walk with Womxn will be held Wednesday to provide an opportunity for students to process recent murders of young women in the state of Iowa.
Participants will gather in front of Parks Library on 11:30 a.m. and start the walk on 11:55 a.m. The route will pass Beardshear Hall and end in front of the Sloss House.
The walk is organized by a group of students from a variety of majors to offer an outlet for students, staff and community members needing a way to process the deaths of Mollie Tibbetts, Celia Barquin Arozamena and Sadie Alvarado of Muscatine, Iowa.
Alvarado’s body was found in a ditch during the search for Tibbetts. Alvarado’s boyfriend, Damian L. Hamann, 28, told the authorities Alvarado jumped out of the moving car during an argument they had. Hamann was charged with leaving the scene of an accident that resulted in a death but later released on conditions of pre-trial. The case is still under investigation.
Greta Stuhlsatz, research assistant in human development and family studies, and a Walk with Womxn organizer, said it is painful to see these horrifying murders, but the narratives after those murder cases are also frustrating.
“The murders were covered very differently in the media,” Stuhlsatz said. “For Mollie’s murder, politicians focused more on immigration policies. Celia’s murder, they focused a lot on how women should keep themselves safe, like don’t wear revealing clothing, make sure to have something you can use to defend yourself and don’t be alone at night.”
Martino Harmon, senior vice president, and Jazzmine Brooks, Green Dot coordinator, will deliver speeches before the walk.
People are encouraged to wear yellow clothing to continue to honor Celia as it was her favorite color. Participants can use the hashtags #StoptheViolence and #BelieveWomenISU on their social media platforms to support this event.
