Mexican feminist discusses her work helping American women
Veronica Cruz runs Las Libres, a feminist organization that helps people get reproductive medications
(Veronica Cruz of Las Libres)
American women can go to Mexico to buy their pills at border pharmacies and contact feminist groups like Las Libres to get abortion medication. They can also contact networks to get people to accompany them as they cross the border. They go to safe spaces, where they get pills. Veronica Cruz, who runs Las Libres, discussed her work through an email exchange I had with her. This interview was translated through Google.
How have things changed for you and your organization after the Roe v. Wade?
Well, we only have a little more work to do, in addition to continuing to support Mexican women so that they have safe abortions, now we have expanded to accompany women from the United States so that they have safe abortions.
Do you think any drug cartel or gang could end up trafficking abortion drugs? Could the crime syndicates exploit this situation in some way?
No
Is there any danger in helping women get abortion drugs? Will there be?
None, the risk is already being experienced by the fact that they are restricting the right and the desire of the state governments to criminalize them (some) They, these restrictive governments, are the ones who are already putting the lives of women at risk
What are you hearing from women in the United States about abortion and what kinds of things are they requesting from you?
Most are very afraid of restrictions and a more serious fear of lack of resources, that abortion is inaccessible and prices are too high.
Are you helping many Mexican women who left the country and settled in the United States?
Yes, although the majority are not these women, the help is requested by very diverse women of all types, classes and immigration status.
Are they the ones you have targeted with your help?
We give help to all, but we have a particular interest in supporting our women, our Latino communities, undocumented etc.
What kind of help would you want or need?
Well, none of us, the women of the United States need this right to be restored.