It’s two years already, on this March 14, 2020, since the murders of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes. Although the perpetrators of the crime are in prison, many questions remain about the motivations of this brutal crime and who ordered it.
The absence of answers distresses family, friends, everyone who met Marielle and those who defend the Democratic Rule of Law. This is because the crime, in addition to being cruel, is an attack against Brazilian democracy and against the rights of all Brazilian citizens, since it tried to silence the voice of a black woman whose life story and parliamentary action were guided by the defense of people who always had their rights denied or violated.
Marielle took to parliament the experience of those who grew up and lived at Favela da Maré. As a resident of that territory, a poor black woman, she suffered what almost 140 thousand residents agonize every day: racism, poverty, violence and the lack of adequate public policies for education, health, culture, security, employment and income. Her main agenda, in the city council, orbited around the defense of human rights - today under attack by authoritarian governments that do not respect democratic life and values - especially the rights of women, black people, the LGBTQI community, and slum dwellers.
The violence of the crime committed against Marielle and Anderson was planned not only to interrupt her life, but to break a political cause that defend the values of a better, more humane and just society. However, Marielle's voice cannot be silenced. It is the greatest expression of the search for justice, equality and democracy and her struggle continues through thousands of women who join their voices and follow her example.
The Brazilian State and, in particular, the Rio de Janeiro State Government, must elucidate who was responsible for the killings of Marielle and Anderson. This crime cannot go unpunished!
Redes da Maré shows its solidarity with the families, friends and admirers of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes and demands that justice be done.
Weavers of Redes da Maré.
