Friday night I attended an event put on by local feminist groups and womyn's empowerment groups. The keynote speaker was Gioconda Belli. It was incredible to see her up-close in person after reading her amazing memoir. She is probably the most famous female Nicaraguan author and has come to be a symbol of the Nicaraguan feminist movement. She joined the Sandinista cause very early on, recruited other members, transmitted messages, hosted illegal gatherings in her home, smuggled arms, was often followed by Somoza's soldiers, grieved when her guerrilla friends were murdered, helped decide national plans with the male Sandinista leaders, and played a huge role in the provisional government. Now she and many of her fellow Sandinista revolutionaries feel betrayed by the current FSLN government. The panel of female activists at the event gave fiery talks telling the womyn of Nicaragua and every dutiful citizen not to vote. Ortega's government will not allow a fair national election; they have refused international observation. They are expected to burn the ballots and will only announce the fictional percentage by which Ortega won the presidency. By voting, citizens acknowledge that they are participating in a democratic process, and they agree to accept the results even if their candidate loses. Activists are urging Nicaraguans to refuse to participate in a corrupt dictatorial process that feigns at democracy. There is no space for an opposition to freely exist. Every Wednesday in Managua there are protests against Ortega, and every Wednesday they are shut down, with protestors jailed or killed. The FSLN changed the constitution so that Ortega could hold multiple consecutive terms as president. Daniel Ortega was accused of sexual abusing his preteen stepdaughter for years, but through underhanded dealings held onto power. His wife, the mother of his stepdaughter, disowned her daughter in exchange for political power from Ortega, and she's now the virtual prime minister.
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