On December 20, Julio Cesar Acosta Navarro, the father of Marco Aurélio Cardenas Acosta, penned a heartfelt open letter to Brazilian President Luiz Ignácio Lula da Silva, lamenting the tragic death of his son at the hands of police. Marco, only 22 years old and studying medicine, was shot during what appears to be yet another unjustified encounter with the police on November 20th, 2024, at the Villa Mariana area of São Paulo.
Julio, who is not only devastated by the loss but also serves as a professor at the University of São Paulo’s Faculty of Medicine, expressed his sorrow and seething anger over the systemic issues surrounding police violence. He detailed how, on the fateful night of his son’s death, he saw Marco lying lifeless from gunshot wounds, whispering for help as he succumbed to injuries inflicted by members of the police. "I feel the heart-wrenching pain, the anguish and rage, remembering the last images of him asking for my help..." he wrote.
The incident has sparked outrage and concern for public safety within the community, and was compounded by the police's actions, which Julio describes as "cowardly" and "unjustifiable." He stated, "The police officers Guilherme Augusto Macedo and his accomplice Bruno Carvalho do Prado, who, bigger, more numerous and armed, cowardly shot at close range at my son wearing shorts and slippers,” adding to the heightened scrutiny surrounding police conduct during such encounters.
Julio’s poignant letter served as both an emotional appeal and as a call to action, urging President Lula to take effective measures to address the growing frequency of police violence. He implored, “I appeal to you, Mr. President, my last hope to alleviate the pain of my family and others..." as he highlighted the broader issue of police brutality faced by marginalized communities. His inquiries and correspondence to the President were also directed at Tarcísio de Freitas, the Governor of São Paulo, and Guilherme Derrite, the Secretary of Public Security, both of whom have been criticized for their responses to incidents of police violence.
Footage captured on the night of the shooting and eyewitness accounts are weighing heavily on the public consciousness, following Julio's representation of how the police handled the case. He recounted being denied information by police as he searched for his son, stressing how he witnessed the cavalier attitude of the officers involved. “I myself witnessed the attitude of the police officers. Faced with my inquiries about the whereabouts of my son, they acted as if I were some threatening figure,” he recounted, underscoring the disconnect between law enforcement and the citizens they are sworn to protect.
Following the tragedy, 81 organizations collectively lodged complaints with the Organization of American States (OAS) against the increasing police violence, asserting more significant reforms and oversight are necessary. Many see Julio’s letter as representative of the urgent need for change within the policies governing police conduct throughout Brazil and particularly within São Paulo.
“Mr. Governor, known for his cruelty and disregard for suffering families, publicly issued faux sympathies and promised severe punishment for the culprits, but to date, those promises seem hollow,” Julio added, referencing Tarcísio's lack of tangible actions since Marco's death. His discussions surrounding the accountability of police actions only amplify the families' collective hope for change as they seek justice.
The emotional turmoil countless families face when encountering the harsh reality of police violence becomes magnified when one speaks out against the systematic injustice. The killing of Marco has not only taken away the life of a promising medical student but has ignited conversations around the need for immediate reform and accountability from those within power. Julio Cesar Acosta Navarro’s fervent letter is much more than just his story; it is the story of many who have suffered and are desperately seeking change.
