Roger Waters released his new single "Sumud" last Saturday, November 29th. The Arabic title means "firm perseverance" or "unwavering resistance."
The song, which reaffirms her history of political engagement and social denunciation, criticizing oligarchies and global injustices, names several activists and victims of repression such as Shireen Abu Akleh , Rachel Corrie , and Anne Frank . Among them is the Brazilian Marielle Franco .
Marielle Franco, a sociologist and city councilwoman from Rio de Janeiro who was shot and killed in 2018, is celebrated as a symbol of struggle and resistance. In the verse that mentions Marielle, Roger sings: “I remember you well / Where you stayed, where you fell / You were brutally murdered / But your spirit remains.” [via TMDQA! ]
This is not the first time Waters has paid tribute to Marielle. In 2018, during a show in Rio de Janeiro , he wore a t-shirt with the phrase "fight like Marielle Franco" and invited her family—her widow, daughter, and sister—on stage in a public tribute to her life and legacy.
Marielle's name also reappeared in 2023, when Waters received an honor from the Rio de Janeiro City Council. He held up a plaque with the words of the tribute and, since then, has displayed her name on screens during performances of his world tour.
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