NBJC Mourns the Stolen Life of Africa Parrilla Garcia
CONTACT: Jordan Wilhelmi | jordan@unbendablemedia.com
SAN JUAN, PR– The National Black Justice Coalition (NBJC) mourns the death of Africa Parrilla Garcia, a 25-year-old trans woman who was shot and killed in San Juan, Puerto Rico, on February 2, 2024. It has been reported that Africa was Afro-Latina.
There have not been many personal details shared about Africa. She was experiencing homelessness and had been engaged in survival sex work. She was loved by her friends.
“Knowledge about the death of Africa was delayed because she was misgendered and deadnamed by police and news. This is too common in the deaths of trans people, with HRC reporting that the media or law enforcement misgendered two-thirds of trans homicide victims,” said the Director of Public Policy and Programs at NBJC, Victoria Kirby York. “This disrespectful treatment only furthers the anti-trans stigma and discrimination already faced by the community.
“Next month, we will celebrate the birthday of Monica Roberts, a trailblazer journalist who set the standard for how to cover the murders of trans people with dignity and respect. More media outlets need to use her work as the standard and the guide to stop the transphobia they are furthering.”
Anyone with information on the death of Africa Parrilla Garcia is asked to contact Agent Flores of the Homicide Division of the Criminal Investigation Corp (CIC) of San Juan at 787-793-1234.
Learn more about, mourn the loss, and remember the lives of the Black trans siblings we have lost this year by viewing NBJC’s Stolen Lives campaign HERE.
Learn more about reducing gender-based violence here and here.
Look here to learn more about changing local laws and increasing protections for trans and non-binary community members.
