BOSTON, Mass, USA, – Black Lives Matter and Boston based Brazil Police Watch are going to Rio de Janeiro to stand in solidarity with activists and victims of police violence. Police in Brazil kill 8 people a day and police in Rio kill every 15 hours. According to Amnesty International and the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child, police lethality has increased as part of Olympic preparations.
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Young black men are the primary victims of police violence: according to Amnesty International, of the homicides by police in Rio between 2010 and 2014, 99.5% were men, 79% were black and 75% were between the ages of 15-29. We cannot stand by as the world anticipates the Olympics and Rio is slaughtering black men, women and children to clean up the city. Rio’s grotesque efforts to control crime by murdering black men cannot be tolerated, we cannot stand by and be silent. Debora da Silva, founder of the Sao Paulo based Mães de Maio adds “We are looking forward to meeting with Black activists from the US and sharing ideas and experiences. Before the World Cup police killing citizens increased 45% in Rio, and now with the Olympics the same thing is happening.”
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Debora da Silva, founded Mães de Maio after the 2006 “Crimes of May” massacre when over 450 civilians were killed during a 10 day battle between gangs and Sao Paulo police. Debora’s son, Edson Rogério Silva dos Santos, was among those killed. The delegation will be in Rio de Janeiro from July 20 to July 23. They conclude their trip on July 23rd, the 24th anniversary of the Candelaria Massacre when police in Rio killed 8 sleeping homeless children.
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Liz Martin (Boston, Mass.) founder of Brazil Police Watch, is the daughter of a U.S. policeman, and her nephew Joseph, was murdered by a cop in Rio in 2007. Delegation members include Rev. Waltrina Middleton, (Cleveland, Ohio) Waltrina’s advocacy work includes organizing to address a systemic culture of violence and racism throughout the diaspora. Waltrina’s first cousin Rev. DePayne Middleton was among the 9 people murdered at the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina. Her organization, Cleveland Action is a bridge organization in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter Movement. Daunasia Yancey, (Boston, Mass.) founder Black Lives Matter Boston. As a Black femme lesbian, sexual health educator, strategist and organizer, Daunasia has spent her life advocating for the vital resources that underrepresented communities need. The Right Reverend Doctor John L. Selders, Jr. (Hartford, Conn.) pastor of Amistad United Church of Christ, Hartford, Conn., Associate College Chaplain, Trinity College, activist, co-founder Moral Mondays CT Pamela Selders (Hartford, Conn.) activist, healer and organizer, co-founder Moral Mondays CT. A native of St. Louis, Pamela Selders has been an activist her entire life. Brittini Gray (St. Louis, Mo.) activist, educator and organizer. Brittini’s focus includes youth and young adult training and education on leadership, community organizing, and anti-racism.
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TENTATIVE LIST OF GROUPS WE WILL MEET WITH: Colectivo Papo Reto (Collective Papo Reto) A group from the favelas Alemão and Penha focusing on sharing information about the realities of the favela. Forum de Juventudes RJ (Youth Forum Rio de Janeiro) A forum for youth of Rio to discuss policies the state implements that impact their daily lives such as the UPP program and the World Cup and the Olympics. Maes de Maio (Mothers of May) Founded after the 2006 “Crimes of May” massacre when over 450 civilians were killed during a 10 day battle between gangs and Sao Paulo police. Rede de Comunidades Contra a Violencia (Network of Communities Against Violence) An organization of people who have had a loved one killed by the police in Rio who are working to end state violence. Justica Global (Global Justice) Global Justice is an organization that works to protect and promote human rights. Forum Social de Manguinhos (Manguinhos Social Forum) It is a space that brings together residents of the favela Manguinhos, its institutions, and social movements that defend citizenship and social rights Anistia Internacional (Amnesty International – Brazil) They recently launched the campaign “Young, Black, Alive” to counter the extremely high rate of deaths of Black youth by homicide and police violence.
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CONTACT
Liz Martin: Mobile: 1-617-447-0747 or Email: BrazilPoliceWatch@gmail.com
Twitter: @bzlpolicewatch
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