On December 20, 2013, a detained migrant worker facing deportation hung herself in Vancouver airport’s holding cells. But the journey of Lucia Vega Jimenez, from detention centre to airport and finally to Mount St. Joseph’s hospital – where she lost her life on December 28, 2013 – remained secret. Why is it that the death of an innocent worker, arrested for an unpaid bus ticket, is only reaching the public sphere a month later? What does Canadian Border Services Agency have to hide?
A system of migrant worker oppression, discriminatory and wrongful detentions, coupled with failed refugee claims and deportation orders tell the story of Lucia and many others just like her. Standing up against this systemic racism is a way to fight in Lucia’s honour.
There are many ways you can get involved in migrant worker campaigns and stand up for migrant dignity (not migrant deaths!):
-share this image on social media to spread Lucia’s story
-attend this demonstration honouring the life of Lucia Vega Jimenez
-sign this petition to demand a just and transparent investigation into Lucia’s death
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