:quality(85)//cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/SVLLEC4JQFHOPFZIVARJDOZPGA.jpg "The contestants left the beauty pageant in solidarity with the mother of Frida Sofía, who disappeared in Zacatecas")
The inhabitants of Zacatecas are facing a strong wave of violence which has unfortunately already claimed the life of a person in a shelter located in the center of Jerez and the disappearance of Frida Sofia Murillo Raygoza, a woman who was last seen on Friday February 10 in the same city.
The mayor of Jerez refused to cancel the 2023 Carnival despite the violence, protests and resignations of the participants
The atmosphere of insecurity that reigns in Zacatecas jeopardizes the party that could not be celebrated since 2020
All this added to other acts of violence and the lack of response from the authorities caused the seven candidates for the Queen of the Jerez Carnival refrain from participating in the beauty contest which would take place on the afternoon of Thursday February 16, as well as in the coronation which was scheduled for Sunday 19 as part of the festivities of the said Magic City.
(Twitter picture)
A few hours before the start of the competition Samy Escobedo, Diana Pereyra, Blanca Murillo, Kenya Jacobo, Edith Duarte, Karla de Leon and Alison Nicole appeared on Facebook to announce that they would not participate in the competition to protest the lack of support in the case of Frida Sofía and the lack of security in Jerez.
‘It’s the saddest thing’: Mayor of Jerez blames carnival cancellation for political issues
He mentioned that in addition to the safety of the inhabitants of the commune, he was concerned about the revival of the economy
“Friends, I have just retired from competition and I prefer to support and be alongside our Municipality and the affected families, demanding peace and security! Thank you to each of the people who supported me and helped to share, I thank you from the bottom of my heart”, wrote Samy Escobedo.
Jerez Mayor Humberto Salazar has rejected calls for the festivities to be canceled due to violence. (Facebook)
“Hello to all my community of Jerez de García Salinas, as many know I am a candidate for Carnival Queen 2023, today I announce my retirement from this competition to show empathy and respect for what is unfortunately It happens that many families have a difficult time, so, I want to thank the people who were behind me to support me, I am here to raise my voice for all those who are missing, thank you very much, ”said Diana Pereyra .
“La Jerezada” 2023 has been suspended by order of a judge and due to violence in the municipality
The mayor of Jerez announced the suspension of the bullfighting demonstration after questions from residents due to the disappearance of a young woman and the presence of organized crime who attacked a family
Angie Bermúdez (crowned as Miss Little Zacatecas in 2022), he did the same and through his social networks he informed that he would be in solidarity with the protests, so he would not attend the edition either. Besides, called on the authorities to take action for all the acts of violence suffered in recent weeks.
(Facebook picture)
The candidates were not the only ones to drop out of the event, as were the members of the group La Auténtica, who were to perform in the municipality on Friday February 17. According to the statement they posted on their official Facebook account, they would not be offering their show out of solidarity for whatever the locals are facing.
“As an act of solidarity and empathy due to all the events that have happened in our Jerez, the decision has been made not to participate in the event. We hope in the future and in more other circumstances to be able to accompany you with our music. We appreciate your understanding and support,” they reported.
However, despite requests for the carnival to be canceled and sherry (Bullfighting in Pamplona) Mayor Humberto Salazar Contreras has decided to go ahead with all the planned events.
It was during a public appearance by Mayor Humberto Salazar that Frida Sofía Murillo’s mother approached her to demand the location of the young woman alive: “My daughter has disappeared and no one is doing anything. Who will help me? I need answer. I have to get my daughter back, please, enough! She’s only 20, her six-month-old baby is waiting for her”.
They don’t tell us anything, they don’t support us, they don’t seek it, nothing. I’m broken. All I ask is that justice be done for all the missing.