© 2009 WorldNetDaily

Nicaraguan refugee Auxiliadora Martinez (photo: WND / Chelsea Schilling)

(Editor's note: This interview was conducted with assistance of a translator)

After hundreds of phone calls and letters to the Los Angeles asylum office, numerous prayers and dozens of marriage proposals from readers, Auxiliadora Martinez, a Nicaraguan political refugee, is expressing her gratitude today to thousands of concerned citizens for their support.

"Thank you very much to WorldNetDaily," she said. "Thank you very much to the USA. Thank you very much to all of you that want to help me establish the truth of what I said in my application to the authorities in USA."

Martinez, 23, was beaten with sticks, shot at, nearly raped and almost murdered – all because she fought for free elections.

Now, the U.S. is prepared to deny her asylum in the land of the free.

Martinez, a campaign organizer for Eduardo Montealegre, former Constitutionalist Party candidate for Managua mayor, has been tortured by Nicaragua's Sandinista regime and is pleading with the United States for asylum.

Nicaragua President Daniel Ortega has employed neighborhood committees called Citizens Power Councils, or CPCs, used by his corrupt Sandinista party to spy on citizens, intimidate and torture them.

Martinez told WND the CPCs attacked her with large rocks, sticks, mortars and sprays of gunfire. A gang of Sandinista CPCs tried to rape and kill her because she was part of a group protesting the legitimacy of the 2008 municipal elections.

For Martinez' full story, see WorldNetDaily's original report.

Following the report, many people suggested a legal defense fund be created for Martinez. An account has been opened for donations to her case.

Readers sent numerous letters on Martinez' behalf. One pleaded with asylum officials, "It would be unconscionable for the United States to deny her asylum. If we do, we become her executioners. We cannot turn our backs on Ms. Martinez. … Please do not stain America with her blood and force her into an inevitable early grave."

From left to right: Managua candidate for vice mayor, Enrique Quiñónez; Martinez and Managua mayor candidate Eduardo Montealegre (photo: Martinez)

Director George Mihalko of the Los Angeles asylum office did not return WND's requests for comment.

Readers told WND officials said they were being inundated with phone calls, and the U.S. immigration receptionist immediately asked if people were calling to express support for Martinez. Some reported that the receptionist has been encouraging callers to send faxes if they want to submit letters about Martinez' case, while readers have been told the office is now re-examining her file.

Martinez receives assistance today as she provides information to begin a legal defense fund

However, many readers have taken their arguments for Martinez' asylum case to their representatives and even the White House, as they are concerned the Los Angeles office will not do enough.

Some citizens of Canada, England and Australia suggested Martinez pursue asylum in their own countries if the United States refuses her application. Others suggested she would have more luck if she simply crossed into the United States through Mexico.

And 14 people offered to marry her today – a likely record for any woman.

Martinez, in a battle for her life, urged her supporters to continue fighting for her asylum and her country's freedom.

"I beg you to make your voice heard in the USA against the state of terror that Daniel Ortega is establishing in Nicaragua with the help of Hugo Chavez," Martinez told WND. "Please write to your authorities to help Nicaragua to be free again. Viva USA! No to Ortega and Chavez! Please pray for me and for Nicaragua."

Donations for Auxiliadora Martinez' legal defense may be sent to Chase Bank. Routing number 322271627. Swift code: CHASU533. Payable to Auxiliadora Martinez's account #583-618625-6.

Concerned individuals may contact George Mihalko, director of the Los Angeles Asylum Office at (714) 808-8000, fax (714)635-8707, attention: Duty Officer Charles Phillips and Director George Mihalko, or write to: 1585 South Manchester Avenue, Anaheim, CA 92802. Include case reference number A89898056.

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