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The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (Alianza) organizes annual marches across the country in memory of Gladys Ricart, a Dominican woman who was murdered in New Jersey by an ex boyfriend on her wedding day.  The Domestic Violence Bride's March seeks to attract media attention and raise community awareness of domestic violence.

The National Latino Alliance for the Elimination of Domestic Violence (Alianza) organizes annual marches across the country in memory of Gladys Ricart, a Dominican woman who was murdered in New Jersey by an ex boyfriend on her wedding day.  The Domestic Violence Bride's March seeks to attract media attention and raise community awareness of domestic violence.

On September 26, 1999, Augustin Garcia shot Gladys Ricart as she was being photographed with her wedding party.  Garcia was a respected leader in the New York’s Dominican community.  During the trial Ricart’s family and friends were enraged by his "crime of passion" defense and accusations that she had been unfaithful to him.  He was eventually sentenced to life in prison with parole.  In 2002, a New York City Health Department survey found that 51% of victims of domestic violence were foreign born.  While domestic violence may affect minority and immigrant communities disproportionately, it remains prevalent in all races, cultures, and socioeconomic classes.  According to a United States Justice Department report, in 2008 the rate of intimate partner victimizations of females age 12 and older was 4.3 victimizations per 1,000 females, and 64% of female homicide victims were killed by relatives or intimate partners. Victims may fail to report abuse because of fear of the abuser, fear of affecting a family member’s or their own immigration status, a desire to protect family privacy, or a lack of awareness of resources.

The first Domestic Bride's March took place in New York City on the second anniversary of Ricart's death.  Alianza encourages other cities to organize marches on the same day to amplify the impact. Alianza provides participants with training materials and support in finding funding.  Marches have been successfully organized in Lawrence, Massachusetts; Miami; Milwaukee; and Washington, D.C.  In the New York City march, women wearing bridal gowns and men dressed in black march 6.7 miles across Manhattan.  The bridal gowns symbolize a hope for relationships without violence and honor Ricart, who was murdered in her wedding dress.  Participants hold banners, chant slogans, and distribute postcards with information on local domestic violence resources.  Men are encouraged to participate to become positive role models and help break the cycle of abuse.

The direct impact of the Domestic Violence Bride's March is difficult to measure, but it has clear benefits as a peaceful, sustainable, community activity that can help break the silence and build solidarity within communities affected by domestic violence.  The New York march has been successfully organized for nine years, and other marches continue to spread through the United States.  In addition to keeping the memories of Ricart and other victims alive, the marches raise awareness of the affects of domestic violence and the resources used to combat it.  Past marches have raised awareness among politicians with the influence to enact anti-violence legislation, instate harsher punishment for offenders, and increase funding for shelters.

The original Domestic Violence Bride's March focused on Latino communities, but domestic violence remains prevalent in most cultures, and this tactic could be implemented in a variety of communities worldwide.  Safely implementing this tactic could be challenging in some regions. Attracting media coverage and participants could be difficult in areas where citizens are denied of the rights of free press and peaceful protest. If victims lack legal resources to protect themselves, they may fear publicly speaking out against abusers.