Erika Hilton: I also send a hug to her partner, Councilwoman Monica Benicio, who was here in Brasília.
Erika Hilton: She was likewise a tireless fighter in search of justice, in search of answers, so that the executors and the masterminds behind this barbaric execution would be discovered.
This country persecutes defenders of human rights, persecutes women, persecutes the LGBTQIA+ community, historically.
Erika Hilton: Brazil, which has the record for executions of human rights defenders and of the LGBT population, now also shows an increase in the number of femicides.
Erika Hilton: The execution of Marielle Franco brings with it all these elements.