Brazilians paint streets to celebrate World Cup after deadly police raid: ‘Why not transform this place?’
Artist and former footballer Luan Medeiros organised painting to bring joy to square after 122 people were killed in last October’s police operation
TL;DR
- Saint Luke's Square in Vila Cruzeiro favela, once marked by a deadly police operation, has been repainted with national flag colours.
- The repainting was organized by artist Luan Medeiros to bring joy and transform the community space after the trauma of the October police operation.
- The initiative involved local residents, including children and volunteers, with businesses providing support.
- The act of painting the streets is seen as a way for the community to assert their belonging to Brazil, especially in the context of how marginalized populations are treated.
- There is a broader trend of Brazilians decorating streets with flags and murals for the World Cup, a tradition that has seen a resurgence after a dip in recent years, amplified by social media.
- Public prosecutors are still investigating the circumstances of the police operation which resulted in a high death toll, with some officers charged with offenses.