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ENEWS September 2025
On Wednesday August 20th, 2025, this world lost an incredible soul to the great beyond. Laurie Melrood was an organizer, advocate, comrade, teacher, mentor, friend, partner, and above all, a revolutionary. Laurie was the cofounder of GUAMAP in 1994 and continued her work with communities in Petén, Guatemala until her last years.
Laurie was tireless in her fight for justice from Tucson, to Guatemala to Palestine. She organized with the sanctuary movement to help people fleeing war in Central America in the 1980's, from which GUAMAP’s work would be born.
She organized for years with Jewish Voices for Peace to end the Israeli occupation of Palestine, participating in organized struggle all her adult life for Palestinian liberation. There is a quote in Laurie’s memorial from Tucson human rights defender, Isabel Garcia that states, “Struggle is the evidence of love for humanity.” Laurie lived her life in that struggle, showing her love for humanity in endless ways every day.
Comadre, we miss you dearly. We will continue to struggle. We will continue to fight for justice in this upside down world. We know the way, because you have walked it before us, and alongside us all these years. Rest in Power.
-Ashley Edgette
GUAMAP officially welcomes Devora Gonzalez and Gabriela Perez to our board. Devora is a long time GUAMAP volunteer who is now our new treasurer. Gabriela is joining GUAMAP from her work organizing in immigration justice and with our local parter Xajun Ulew, an organization that educates the community on indigenous diaspora cultures from Central America and beyond. We are grateful for the wisdom and energy they bring as we grow!
Meet Hermelinda Lopez Escobar Otherwise known as Mely. Mely is one of the amazing students who started GUAMAP’s Acupunturist Training Program this year. Mely is a health promoter in her community. She hopes to use acupuncture to expande the medical care she provides and to grow her knowledge of the body.
