In a powerful demonstration of solidarity and demand for accountability, hundreds of activists gathered on March 10, 2024, outside Jeffrey Epstein‘s Zorro Ranch in New Mexico. This protest, organized as part of a global mobilization for International Women’s Day by the Women’s March, aimed to highlight the ongoing lack of justice for survivors of Epstein’s trafficking and abuse.
The protest comes as federal investigations into Epstein’s network have significantly stalled since his death in 2019. Activists point out that despite numerous suspected co-conspirators and enablers identified in millions of court documents, only two individuals have faced prosecution. More than 150 identified survivors have yet to see justice, prompting calls for greater government accountability.
Among the notable figures addressing the crowd were family members of survivor Virginia Giuffre, Representative Teresa Leger José, and State Senator Linda Lopez of New Mexico. They were joined by organizers from various indigenous and religious communities, underscoring the diverse coalition advocating for change. Rachel O’Leary Carmona, executive director of the Women’s March, read a poignant speech authored by Giuffre, resonating with the assembled activists.
Focus on Survivor-Centered Accountability
The demonstration centered on the work of the New Mexico Commission on Truth and Reconciliation, a bipartisan organization dedicated to documenting violence against women, children, and Indigenous communities. Following the recent release of previously sealed Epstein files by the Department of Justice, New Mexico Attorney General Raúl Torrez announced the reopening of his office’s investigation into activities at Zorro Ranch. This new information has provided a vital opportunity for state authorities to address past injustices.
Torrez has encouraged survivors to come forward, promising a comprehensive public report at the end of the investigation. “The years-long cover-up and protection of Epstein’s allies and co-conspirators exposed a culture of impunity,” O’Leary Carmona stated during the rally. She emphasized the need for justice, declaring, “There can be no peace without accountability, no democracy without justice for survivors, and no freedom while abusers and their enablers are protected.”
In a subsequent interview with Newsweek, O’Leary Carmona described the New Mexico strategy as a potential model for other states. “The New Mexico Truth and Reconciliation Commission represents something we haven’t seen from federal authorities — a survivor-centered process that is willing to follow the evidence wherever it leads,” she stated. This approach aims to investigate the institutions that facilitated Epstein’s abuse, highlighting the systemic failures that allowed such crimes to persist.
Call for Broader Change
The Women’s March is advocating for the adoption of New Mexico’s accountability model in other regions connected to Epstein’s activities, including Florida and New York. By calling for a unified response, activists hope to foster a culture of accountability that addresses the needs of survivors across the United States.
As the demonstration concluded, participants expressed a renewed commitment to seeking justice for those victimized by Epstein’s network. They aim to ensure that the voices of survivors are heard and that the failures of the past are not repeated. The ongoing efforts reflect a broader movement for change, demanding that society confront and rectify the injustices that have persisted for far too long.
