Earlier this month, Rio de Janeiro city councilor Marielle Franco was killed in what officials say was a targeted assassination.
Franco, 38, was a well-known human rights activist and advocate for low-income populations in the favelas. Elected in 2016, she was one of seven women on the 51-seat council and fought against police brutality and for underrepresented communities in Brazil.
After her death, demonstrations erupted all over the country, people calling for her murderers’ arrest.
To celebrate her, her work, and in solidarity with the Brazilian immigrant community in Somerville, the Board of Aldermen honored Franco at their regular meeting on Thursday, March 22.
The resolution is as follows: “Celebrating the life, and condemning the killing, of Marielle Franco, a community organizzer human rights activist, and city councilor from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, who was the victim of an apparent targeted killing on March 14 at the age of 38.” It was sponsored by all eleven aldermen.
Before her death, said Ward 3 Alderman Ben Ewen-Campen, not many people had heard of Franco, as she was just a city councilor in Rio. But she wasn’t an ordinary councilor, he said.
“People I’ve spoken to have really tried to emphasize how unheard of it is for a black lesbian to break into the political scene,” he said. “She was a first-time candidate for a small progressive party...Her life and her entire political career was dedicated to fighting for human rights and marginalized people.”
The bullets found at the scene are said to be police ammunition. Before her murder, Franco was fighting for the demilitarization of police and against corruption, Ewen-Campen added, which makes the situation particularly disturbing.
“Tonight we honor her in our halls [and] condemn her killing and celebrate her life and hope she inspires more people to fight for human rights,” he said.
Executive Director of the Brazilian Immigrant Center in Boston Dr. Natalicia Tracy thanked the aldermen for inviting her to speak in the chambers. As a black woman immigrant from Brazil, she said, the opportunity meant a lot.
People living in Brazil, she continued, are used to violence on a day-to-day basis, but this was different.
“Every life is important us, but this particular one was a huge assault on democracy and freedom of speech in Brazil,” said Tracy. “I’m an activist here in the [United States], I believe in the same things that Marielle did. I’m fighting for [an] equal society, equal economy, equal access to education and fighting for the value of all lives.”
Tracy said she was inspired by Franco, and pressured the community to do more.
“This city is a home for many immigrants from Brazil and immigrants from around the world and we are here because it’s a safe place,” she said. “There’s a crisis with immigration. People are fleeing because of violence in countries. People have no voice. It’s a sad day when a black female, as strong as she was, was executed because she dared to speak about equality.”
Director of the Parent Information Center at Somerville Public Schools Regina Bertholdo said she and other Brazilian immigrants are hurt and scared about what happened to Franco, a situation that truly highlights the social injustices throughout the country.
The social inequalities in Brazil, she continued, are not talked about enough, especially racism and economic issues.
“There’s no place in Brazil for low-income black [children] to grow in life, to go to the universities,” said Bertholdo. “[Franco] fought for what she believed. She fought for the minorities that are not represented...She was their representative.”
Ward 2 Alderman JT Scott said while talking to his constituents he learned about Franco and her work, and he’s proud Somerville can spread her story and share the legacy she created.
The more the community learns about immigrant residents’ homelands, added Alderman At Large Stephanie Hirsch, the better the city will become.
Hopefully, said Alderman At Large Will Mbah, local efforts to memorialize Franco and share her message will help the international community take appropriate action.
“[I hope it allows] the Brazilian women, the black folks in the community here and abroad, to be actually inspired, to keep running for office and making a difference,” he said. “This shouldn’t limit their ability or make them scared or think they are under attack.”
Somerville, added Alderman At Large Bill White, needs to keep being supportive.
“We need to be open in our own community for immigrants that are facing the fear of assassination for speaking out against the government,” he said.
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