Since around 17th October, an extremely violent situation has taken Chile by storm.

This all started with a popular non-violent civilian march against the government demand of more financial austerity measures. As a result a violent repression is being carried out by the Army and the Police (Carabineros), obviously instructed by the government.

Among the scope of the repression it has to be mentioned that civilians are being shot through the eye on purpose, to be “marked” forever. Even more visible than a Nazi tattoo. Women have been systematically targeted with different forms of abuse: being stripped publicly, tortured, raped, killed or disappeared. Gay men also being tortured and abused.

During this turmoil , the iconic Daniela “Momo” Carrasco, a 36 year old woman artist, dedicated to non violent protesting as a street performer and clown, was killed. But in a barbaric and medieval way, our sweet and vulnerable “female clown” was taken away by the police, tortured, raped and killed. And this was not enough, her body was hung on iron railings in a public place as an exemplary execution to frighten women and anybody from expressing their ideas through art.

I am sure sweet Momo will become an a modern icon together with Marielle Franco in Brazil.

Marta Nunez

Latin American Region Director