I got this in an email today. These are the kind of stories we don't often hear about in the U.S.. It is surprising that this one has not gotten more attention, considering our Government's position on the Chavez regime in Venezuela:

Four years ago when Venezuelan police rescued 18-year-old Linda Loaiza from her kidnapper's apartment, she was bruised and cut inside and out and severely malnourished.  One nipple had been cut off, her earlobe destroyed, her lip cut off, her skull fractured, and her entire body was covered with cigarette burns.

Nearly three years later, the courts had still not set a trial date and Linda's case was in danger of being dismissed so she held a two-week hunger strike on the steps of the Supreme Court until finally a judge was assigned and a trial date set.  After all that the judge let the man who'd raped and tortured Linda (the son a very influential man who was president of one of Venezuela's major universities at the time) off scot-free, citing a "lack of evidence." 

Today, Linda is still waiting for justice to be served.  That’s why FreeChoiceSaveLives.org has launched an online campaign -- www.JusticeForLinda.org to make sure that the Venezuelan justice system does not continue to drag its feet on setting a trial date or let her attacker go free again.  

Click here to visit our online action center now.

This April, Linda and her supporters succeeded in getting the courts to reopen her case and request a retrial with the hope of convicting her attacker, Luis Carrera Almoina.  After several more anxious months Linda is still waiting for a trial date to be set.

We need your help to let the Venezuelan government know the world is watching.  Will you help us reach our goal of getting the court to set a trial date by the middle of August by sending at least 10,000 messages to the Venezuelan government in the next two weeks demanding a fair trial?

The incident occurred in Venezuela, but it is representative of the immense difficulty faced by women in many parts of the world when they seek justice in the face of violence and abuse.  Your support will mean a great deal to Linda and to women everywhere. 

Below I’ve pasted a sample blurb about the case and JusticeForLinda.org that you’re welcome to use if you’d like. There is also a full explanation of Linda's story available at http://www.freechoicesaveslives.org/campaign/Linda/explanation that includes some photos (some graphic) of her story. 

All of this information, including our online action center, is also available in Spanish at www.JusticiaParaLinda.org. 

Please feel free to contact me at this address or the phone number below if you have any questions or need more information. 

Thank you for all your help,

Best,

Katelyn Sabochik
JusticeForLinda.org Outreach Coordinator
ksabochik@mrss.com
202-478-6305

Sample Blurb

Linda Loaiza's waking nightmare began 4 years ago when she was kidnapped by Luis Carrera Almoina.  Almoina held Linda, then 18, prisoner in his home in Venezuela where he raped and beat her repeatedly until she was rescued by police 4 months later.  Linda's case was then passed over by the Venezuelan judicial system 29 times and a total of 59 judges declined to prosecute on her behalf!  After waiting 3 years for a trial, the judge finally appointed to the case let Almoina go free! 

This spring, Linda managed to get her case reopened and after more anxious months she is still waiting for a trial date to be set. Join an online campaign at www.JusticeForLinda.com to demand that the Venezuelan justice system ensure a fair and timely trial, free from the corruption and irregularities that plagued the last one! 

Linda's experience is deeply disturbing - both for the violence she suffered and for the corruption and the injustice she has faced in her quest to put her attacker behind bars where he can't hurt her or others.  Click here to join the Justice for Linda campaign now!

Also available in Spanish at http://www.JusticiaParaLinda.org

 

 

For my blogging budies out there, please pass this one along!