Vhils recently finished his latest mural in his hometown of Lisbon, created for the 2018 edition of the Iminente festival he founded two years ago. As a result of his collaboration with Amnesty International, the mural is aiming to channel the festival’s popularity to raise awareness about the unsolved brutal killing of Brazilian human rights defender Marielle Franco.
Marielle Franco, an activist and elected councilor, was known for promotion of the rights of black women, LGBTI and young people in the favelas of Rio De Janeiro, as well as her critics of police killings in the favelas where she grew up in. She was shot dead in her car on 14th March, along with her driver Anderson Gomes, and 6 months after her murder, there has been little progress in the investigation.
As part of Brave Walls campaign, Amnesty International’s initiative that is using street art to raise awareness of human rights defenders, Vhils carved a portrait of Marielle Franco, in hope to trigger people to demand justice for her. Monica Tereza Azeredo Benício, Marielle’s partner, was overlooking the creative process and attending the event, continuing her constant efforts to mobilize the fight for justice which can be joined and followed here.
Photos by Fernando Figueiredo Silva
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