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YWU’s intergenerational Anti-Violence Against Women campaign has successfully brought community awareness to the need for treatment instead of incarceration, and helped to shift the language the media and local authorities were using to frame the women found in a mass grave in Albuquerque.

On December 4, 2008 our community suffered a great loss when Amber Archibeque passed from overdose after being released from the local detention center, in the middle of the night, without access to transportation or a phone. We started working with her family and in collaboration with Kalpulli Izkalli to hold monthly Vigils to bring light to the community the negligent release practices of our detention center and highlight the need for treatment instead of incarceration for substance users and victims of sexual violence.

In January 2009, Amber’s family, YWU and Kalpulli Izkalli worked closely with the NM Drug Policy Alliance to pass House Memorial 38 that Requests detention centers to take appropriate action to prevent the accidental drug overdose of detainees after release, highlighting that detainees should be released at a decent hour, should have access to a phone and the ability to access transportation, as well as literature and access to services for drug prevention overdose. To our surprise we have actually seen implementation of the policy in the Albuquerque Detention Center. The Detention Center now has free telephones and signs in their release area that inform detainees that they have the option to stay the night if they need to, they are given literature about overdose prevention, substance use treatment, and the increased risks of overdose when coming out of jail, as well as they have committed to improving their overall release policies. In addition Joy Junction, a local shelter has been doing “pick ups” during the night time hours that detention centers drop off detainees.

With every vigil we begin with an opening grounding ceremony in which we name all the women found, and still missing, give the community an opportunity to call out any names they want to add and we frame the message of our vigils as one that connects the cycle of sexual violence, substance use and incarceration and looks to push for treatment instead of incarceration. Using this approach has helped gain trust and confidence in the community and among the families. We helped shift the context for our communities, remembering that these were our women, young women of color; that grew up in our neighborhoods, that went to school with us, our sisters, cousins, lovers and friends.

After our biggest vigil in April of 2009, we decided to leave a row of pink crosses in memorial to Amber and the Women of the West Mesa at the park. Seven days after the event YWU received a call from the City Parks Manager, asking us to please come get the crosses, because the workers were refusing to remove them.

The following are links to resources and organizations who are doing work on these issues:

Kalpulli Izkalli – Provides traditional Healing services by donation. Call to make an appointment.
Joy Junction – local shelter, night time pick ups from downtown detention drop- off
NM Coalition Against Domestic Violence – services/resources for survivors of violence.
PB & J Family Services – range of services for women and families in the incarceration system.
Youth Development Incorporated – range of services for youth and family including free counseling, youth programs
NM Drug Policy Alliance – local chapter, working on policy to end the drug war and create improved policies around non violent drug offenders, including treatment instead of incarceration.
Cross Roads for Women - Crossroads for Women is a transition program for homeless women with co-occurring addictive and mental health disorders located in Albuquerque,NM
La Raza Unida
Advocates for Equity

Elected Officials who support who have proven to be champions in these policy issue areas:

If you would like more info on Young Women United's Anti-Violence Against Women Campaign email Micaela at  mcadena@youngwomenunited.org.

If you would like more info on Young Women United's Anti-Violence Against Women Campaign email Micaela at mcadena@youngwomenunited.org.