The Executive Council of the Latin American Studies Association laments and repudiates the murder of Afro-Brazilian human rights activist Marielle Franco in Rio de Janeiro on March 14, 2018. Franco was a much-admired elected Rio city council member, a feminist, socialist, lesbian, and defender of human rights in Rio’s favelas.
Franco was murdered in what appears to be a politically motivated extrajudicial execution after she criticized the current state of violent militarized intervention in the city’s favelas and the resulting high death rates, especially among young black men.
About LASA
The Latin American Studies Association (LASA) is the largest professional association in the world for individuals and institutions engaged in the study of Latin America. With over 13,000 members, over 60% of whom reside outside the United States, LASA is the one association that brings together experts on Latin America from all disciplines and diverse occupational endeavors, across the globe. LASA's mission is to foster intellectual discussion, research, and teaching on Latin America, the Caribbean, and its people throughout the Americas, promote the interests of its diverse membership, and encourage civic engagement through network building and public debate.
If you wish to interview a LASA Executive Council member, you can contact the LASA communications office at (412) 648-7929 or send an email to lasa@lasaweb.org.