In solidarity with The Sylvia Rivera Law Project (SRLP) and other New York based social justice organizations, our condolences goes out to the family and friends of Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar.

TransCEND is sad to share the news of the murder of a 29 year old latina trans woman named Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar who was found dead in her Glendale Queens, New York apartment on Tuesday (3/30/10). She had not been heard from since Friday (3/26/10). Police are investigating the murder, including reviewing surveillance video taken from inside the apartment building she lived in.

UPDATE: An arrest has been made in connection to the murder of Amanda. The assailant was tracked via his cellphone records after police discovered his identity from online chat's he had with Amanda that night. For more news about the arrest go to ABC News: Arrest in murder of transgender woman

Although this is a New York based act of violence; it could happen to any one of us, anywhere. Many people, trans and non-trans have felt the impact of Amanda's murder, locally and nationally. Wether a crime of hate, passion, and/or ignorance; this act of violence should not go unnoticed.

We as trans community members and our allies need to continue shedding a light on the very ignorance that is perpetuated by society at large but to also fight the ignorance that continues to oppress and stigmatize our community; particularly the hatred, transphobia and violence against transgender women.

Please keep pushing the news about Amanda Gonzalez-Andujar's murder and other acts of trans related violence forward so that justice can be served and so our friends and family can never be forgotten.