The Brazilian Interdisciplinary AIDS Association (ABIA) announces its deep sorrow and resentment over the murder of the city councilwoman Marielle Franco and the driver Anderson Gomes, killed on the night of March 14th.
Marielle Franco was a black woman from the favelas (shanytowns) and a protector of humans’ rights, especially for women of color, poor communities and LGBT people. Recently, she occupied the role of rapporteur for the Special Commission of Rio de Janeiro’s City Council that monitors the actions of military troops during the federal intervention in the state of Rio de Janeiro.
The execution of Marielle shocked all of ABIA’s members. We demand a strict investigation into this cold-blooded murder and the immediate punishment of the killers. We also manifest our sympathy with Marielle’s family, friends and social movements that work to defend humans’ rights and democracy and to fight racism, homophobia, sexism and urban violence.
Read in Spanish here