BRAZIL
Lost Without Hope
The apparent assassination of a liberal Rio de Janeiro politician who was known for her social work in the slums and was critical of police has left her supporters feeling “lost, without hope.”
The killing of Rio city councilor Marielle Franco, 38, was “a very tough blow for anyone who fights for justice, for freedom, for equality,” Camila Pontes a 30-year-old communications officer, toldthe Guardian.
Police officials said two gunmen fired nine shots into the vehicle carrying Franco and her driver Wednesday night.
The attack comes after the military took charge of policing Rio last month in response to a surge in violence. Franco’s killing sparked protests across Brazil, bringing together union members, feminists, leftists and various poor communities.
Franco, a gay black woman, had spoken out against police killings – which killed 154 people in Rio state in January – carried out in the name of a crackdown on gangs.
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