Saint Dominic.– “We want those responsible to pay, because there are those responsible,” he says Ana María Ramírez, with a trembling voice narrate one of the darkest nights of his lifewhen the roof of the disco Jet Set collapsed.
The roof of the iconic nightclub Jet Set Club collapsed during a performance by merenguero Rubby Pérez, leaving a balance of 236 dead and more than 180 injured. Ana María is one of the survivors.
Ramírez called for unity among the victims and those affected by this unfortunate accident that occurred on April 8.
Also read: The pain does not go away: the promise that unites the Jet Set families
“I call for unity because there are rumors that say that the victims and those affected are making agreements with the Espaillats and that there were few of us left. But I have to tell you that there are not a few left, because yesterday at the hearingFor 16 minutes, they mentioned the victims. And when they sent the subpoena to my house, it was four pages of names. So there are still many of us, but we are dispersed,” explained the survivor.
The victim asked that the complaints be collective and not isolated, so that events like this are not repeated.
“No one deserves to experience this”he expressed with indignation, highlighting the importance of union of the victims of the collapse of the Jet Set.
Additionally, he noted that he has been in contact with other survivors and relatives of victims interested in forming a support and justice movementwith the aim of strengthening legal and social claims. He called for unity, so that more and more people seek justice in the Dominican Republic.
The social activist was also present at the event. Dayanara Borbónresident in New York, who highlighted that many victims who live outside the country cannot go to Dominican courts.
“There are many victims who are there and cannot come here to exhaust a legal process,” said Borbón. And he added with visible helplessness: “Justice in the Dominican Republic is an organized mockery.”
Memorial mass and baptism of Tihago
This November 8, seven months after the collapse of the roof of the Jet Set, family members, survivors and relatives gathered to celebrate a mass in memory of the victims.
The ceremony was marked by a deeply symbolic moment: the baptism of Tihago, son of the former Major League player Tony Blanco and his wife Nelffisis Calwany Sánchez Breawho lost their lives in the tragedy.
The atmosphere was full of mixed emotions. During the chants, a strong breeze hit the place, filling the air with a feeling of hope and nostalgia.
He Father Rogelio Cruzbefore formally beginning the mass, demanded justice and regretted that with the passing of the months the weight that this tragedy had for the families of the victims and for the entire country had been forgotten. He highlighted: “The people that forget their history are condemned to repeat it,” referring to the fact that, if this unfortunate fact is ignored, justice will not be done and it could be repeated.
Likewise, he assured that every 8th of the month they will continue to ask for justice for the victims, remembering that memory cannot be extinguished.
Purification of the Jet Set and remembrance of the deceased
In the middle of the mass, Father Rogelio went to the front of what was once the Jet Set nightclubaccompanied by those present, to purify the facilities. In front of the rubble that still bears the weight of pain, family and friends came to see the photos of their loved ones who remain in front of them, as well as in their hearts.
During the baptism, Father Rogelio anointed Tihago and then invited everyone present to make the sign of the cross. It was a deeply moving moment: people approached one by one, tenderly touched the child’s forehead, and as they turned around, some silently wiped away their tears.
The mass ended with prayers, tears and hugs. The echo of Jet Set was felt again, not with music or laughter, but with the promise that the memory of the victims will remain alive and that the fight for justice will continue.
