Cruz de Clavos

The Cruz de Clavos (transl. "Cross of Nails") is a memorial honoring victims of femicide in the Mexican state of Chihuahua. One copy is located in front of the Government Palace of Chihuahua in the capital city and a replica is located in Ciudad Juárez. The artwork has a Christian cross covered in and surrounded by nails, each representing murdered women whose cases remain unresolved. It was installed on 25 November 2001 – the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – by the feminist group 8 de Marzo, with the support of former workers of Aceros de Chihuahua (Achisa), who installed it in Plaza Hidalgo, Chihuahua City. Human rights activist Rosa Salazar has described it as a precursor to the Antimonumenta sculptures that emerged in the 2010s in the country, which function as memorials to victims of femicide. The original Cruz de Clavos sculpture contained 260 nails. The state government rejected its installation, and months later it was reported stolen. In August 2003, collectives installed a larger replica at the same location. Another version was erected at the El Paso PDN Port of Entry, in Juárez in March 2002. Both have served as focal points for various mobilizations, particularly for the women's movement and for mothers whose children have disappeared or been killed in Chihuahua.

Monument data from Wikidata (CC0). Summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).