Naiara Tourao is currently being held at the Northwest Detention Center. She is one of our many Free Them All campaigns.

“My name is Naiara Tourao. I’m Brazilian, but I’m a Miamian at heart. I’ve been here in the United States for over twenty years, most of my adult life.

When I first came to visit my family in Florida. I fell in love with the city, full of colors and life. People from all over come, exchange cultures and ideas. Well, it was like that until recently, the same people who come, bring hard work, and rich American culture. People like me with dreams are crushed by the new politics.

I would like to share my story and the stories of other people in detention, so you can see what we are going through. The food is not good. Women in my unit need to reserve at least two laxatives daily to keep our digestive system functioning.

The water has a weird taste. We only have access to tap water. Or we can buy water bottles from the commissary, but most of us don’t have enough money in our accounts, and our families can’t support us economically.

As far as medical attention, we are out of luck. We only have access to basic healthcare. But there are a lot of women here with serious illnesses that require a specialist.

A woman here suffers from epilepsy and is recovering from cancer. Despite several tries, she is still waiting to see an oncologist and neurologist.

Another woman needs foot surgery. An injury that she got while being detained, and she has been waiting for several months. She may lose her foot if she does not receive the surgery soon.

I, myself, need hand surgery. However, the best they could do for me was to give me a brace.

These are things that can cause a very negative effect on our future lives. Mothers who are having their lives destroyed, and many are losing their children.

I hope with this I can bring awareness, and you can stand with all of us.”