In regards to the protests against police brutality happening around the world and the increasing traction of the BLM movement, I wanted to take some time and tell the story of one of the most impactful Brazilian politicians from recent history.
Marielle France, born in the Rio de Janeiro favela of Maré, was a queer woman of color. Life in the slums of Brazil isn’t easy, but Marielle received a scholarship to study at an elite (and majority white) private university and later graduated with her master’s degree from a state school all while raising her daughter.
In 2016, after years of working on the Committee for thr Defense of Human Rights and Citizenship, Marielle ran for city council, winning a seat with one of the highest voting percentages. She made her career out of fighting for the large number of Brazilians that are like her. The people of color, the queer people, the women, the residents of favelas.
On March 13th, 2018, Marielle tweeted “Another murder of a young man that could be credited to the police. Matheus Melo was leaving church. How many more have to die for this war to end?”
The following day, March 14th, 2018, Marielle attended a round-table about black women’s participation in structures of power when both her and her driver were fatally shot in their car outside of the event.
Her death inspired a movement across the country. It was no accident that a proud, queer, black woman from the slums that was able to mobilize an oppressed people was shot dead merely one day after calling out the corruption within the police. For months after her death, the words that echoed throughout the country were found in the hashtag “Who ordered the death of Marielle?” (#QuemMandouMatarMarielle).
Finally, in January of 2019, nearly a year after her murder, two men were identified as the murderers and both were arrested in March. Both men were found to have had ties, including photos taken with current president, Jair Bolsonaro. Both men were members of the police force. The bullets that killed Marielle and her driver were purchased by the police.
Her death was no accident. Her death was a planned and methodical response to the mobilization of the people against the system that seeks to oppress minority voices. Black people are disproportionately murdered in Brazil. The fight Marielle spent her whole career fighting isn’t over. Remember her name, remember all of their names.
#MariellePresente
Here is a recent documentary shot about her life. I’m not sure if there are English subtitles, but Al Jazeera also released an English documentary (though I haven’t watched it yet).
