“A Mirror of State Violence”: Ayotzinapa Sees Itself in Brazil’s Favelas and Indigenous Territories

28.7.15

“A Mirror of State Violence”: Ayotzinapa Sees Itself in Brazil’s Favelas and Indigenous Territories: [upsidedownworld.org] In the heart of Favela de Mare, the Caravana 43 and its participants sat in a small eatery to take a break from multiple events, press conferences and debates. After ordering, the collectives of mothers accompanying the C43 begin introducing themselves. With a hesitant confidence, one was the first to speak: “My name is Ana Paula Gomes de Oliveira,” she said. “I’m the mother of Johnatha Gomes de…” as she states his name, her voice quivers and she pauses for a moment. Her eyes water and a tear begins to fall out of her left eye. She takes a deep breath and continues, “I am the mother of Johnatha, a young man, 19-years-old. He was killed by police on May 14th, 2014. He was shot multiple times in the back.”