Miriam Lewin

Peronism in Argentina was replaced by a military dictatorship, and Videla launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate those he viewed as political dissidents, which included young activists like Miriam. Suddenly, everything about Miriam's life changed.

Peronism in Argentina was replaced by a military dictatorship, and Videla launched a nationwide campaign to eliminate those he viewed as political dissidents, which included young activists like Miriam. Suddenly, everything about Miriam's life changed.

The government painted activists like Miriam as perpetrators of violence and justified their own violence by claiming they were fighting a civil war. But Miriam says the responsibilities she held in her group included writing, printing, and handing out leaflets at rallies. She says she was never violent. And even if she had been, that couldn't possibly justify what followed.

The government painted activists like Miriam as perpetrators of violence and justified their own violence by claiming they were fighting a civil war. But Miriam says the responsibilities she held in her group included writing, printing, and handing out leaflets at rallies. She says she was never violent. And even if she had been, that couldn't possibly justify what followed.

The government painted activists like Miriam as perpetrators of violence and justified their own violence by claiming they were fighting a civil war. But Miriam says the responsibilities she held in her group included writing, printing, and handing out leaflets at rallies. She says she was never violent. And even if she had been, that couldn't possibly justify what followed.

There was no judicial process, no right to a fair trial. People were being taken off the streets, transported to clandestine detention centers and never heard from again. They became the desaparecidos, the disappeared. And by the time the state-sanctioned violence was finally over, they would number into the thousands. Early on, after Videla's rise to power, Miriam and her friends went on the run.

There was no judicial process, no right to a fair trial. People were being taken off the streets, transported to clandestine detention centers and never heard from again. They became the desaparecidos, the disappeared. And by the time the state-sanctioned violence was finally over, they would number into the thousands. Early on, after Videla's rise to power, Miriam and her friends went on the run.

There was no judicial process, no right to a fair trial. People were being taken off the streets, transported to clandestine detention centers and never heard from again. They became the desaparecidos, the disappeared. And by the time the state-sanctioned violence was finally over, they would number into the thousands. Early on, after Videla's rise to power, Miriam and her friends went on the run.

Miriam says in the beginning, friends, family, and neighbors offered them support. But eventually, the threats became too great. Even associating with perceived dissidents could result in death. So many of Miriam's friends distanced themselves to keep their loved ones safe. Week after week, their support networks grew smaller. Miriam, at least, had love.

Miriam says in the beginning, friends, family, and neighbors offered them support. But eventually, the threats became too great. Even associating with perceived dissidents could result in death. So many of Miriam's friends distanced themselves to keep their loved ones safe. Week after week, their support networks grew smaller. Miriam, at least, had love.

Miriam says in the beginning, friends, family, and neighbors offered them support. But eventually, the threats became too great. Even associating with perceived dissidents could result in death. So many of Miriam's friends distanced themselves to keep their loved ones safe. Week after week, their support networks grew smaller. Miriam, at least, had love.

She spent much of her time in hiding with her boyfriend, Juan.

She spent much of her time in hiding with her boyfriend, Juan.

She spent much of her time in hiding with her boyfriend, Juan.

Miriam and Juan wanted to get married, but going to City Hall was too risky. So they held a secret ceremony at a coffee shop above a gas station in Buenos Aires. They exchanged whatever rings they could find and afford and asked a fellow activist to officiate.

Miriam and Juan wanted to get married, but going to City Hall was too risky. So they held a secret ceremony at a coffee shop above a gas station in Buenos Aires. They exchanged whatever rings they could find and afford and asked a fellow activist to officiate.

Miriam and Juan wanted to get married, but going to City Hall was too risky. So they held a secret ceremony at a coffee shop above a gas station in Buenos Aires. They exchanged whatever rings they could find and afford and asked a fellow activist to officiate.

Their group had heard rumors about what was happening at the government's secret detention centers, the cruelty and torture inflicted on those captured.

Their group had heard rumors about what was happening at the government's secret detention centers, the cruelty and torture inflicted on those captured.

Their group had heard rumors about what was happening at the government's secret detention centers, the cruelty and torture inflicted on those captured.