Marielle Franco was a Brazilian city councilwoman, political activist, and human rights advocate. She was born on July 27, 1979, in the Complexo da Maré neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Marielle was Black, a lesbian, a feminist, and lived in one of the city’s most violent areas. Marielle earned a degree in Social Sciences from the Pontifical Catholic University of Rio de Janeiro (PUC-Rio) and a degree in Public Safety from the Fluminense Federal University (UFF). She worked as a legislative aide at the Rio de Janeiro City Council and also served as coordinator of the Commission for the Defense of Human Rights and Citizenship at the Rio de Janeiro State Legislative Assembly (Alerj).
In 2016, Marielle was elected city councilor for Rio de Janeiro for the Socialism and Freedom Party (PSOL). During her term, she stood out for her work in defense of human rights, women’s rights, the rights of Black people, and the LGBT community. Marielle was also a strong critic of military intervention in public security in Rio de Janeiro.
On March 14, 2018, Marielle was shot and killed along with her driver, Anderson Gomes, as she was returning from a political event. Her death sparked widespread outrage and national and international mobilization in defense of human rights and the fight against violence and impunity.
Marielle Franco has become a symbol of resistance and the struggle for human rights in Brazil and around the world. Her legacy continues to inspire many activists and human rights defenders to fight for a more just and equal society.