Stuart Angel
Encyclopedia
Stuart Edgar Angel Jones (January 11, 1946 – May 14, 1971) was an American Brazilian
guerrilla fighter captured, tortured and killed by officers of the Brazilian military dictatorship.
, to American salesman Norman Angel Jones and Brazilian fashion designer Zuzu Angel
, having dual citizenship. Stuart was a graduation student at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
's School of Economics when he joined left-wing urban guerrilla group Revolutionary Movement 8th October
. He married fellow militant Sônia Maria Morais Angel Jones, who would also die under custody of the political police of the military dictatorship. Stuart, known by his mates under the codenames of "Paulo" and "Henrique", disappeared
in 1971, at age 25.
, near Av. 28 de Setembro, around 9 a.m. on June 14, 1971 by officers of the Aeronautics Information Center . He was then taken under custody to CISA headquarters, where he was reportedly tortured to death. According to witnesses, Stuart was reportedly tied to the back of a jeep with his mouth glued to the vehicle's exhaust pipe and dragged through the courtyard of the Aeronautics headquarters. According to this version, Stuart died by asphyxiation and carbon monoxide
poisoning.
The torture sessions were witnessed by another political prisoner, Alex Polari, who wrote a letter to Zuzu talking about the circumstances of her son's death. Based on Alex's letter and other evidence, Zuzu denounced the murder of Stuart to Ted Kennedy
, who unveiled the case during a speech at the United States Senate
. Zuzu also handed to then Secretary of State of the United States, Henry Kissinger
, a letter she wrote herself, a translation of Alex's letter, and a copy of the twentieth volume of the book History of the Brazilian Republic by Hélio Silva, in which the author denounces the death of the student. According to Silva, among the reactions of the regime to the protests of the American-Brazilian community were the removal and subsequent retirement of Brigadier João Paulo Burnier, considered responsible for Stuart's death, and the dismissal of then Minister of Aeronautics, Márcio de Sousa Melo.
Stuart's probable death by asphyxiation and carbon monoxide
poisoning was referred in the lyrics of the song "Cálice", written by Chico Buarque
and Gilberto Gil
. This song is a harsh criticism to the support given by higher clergy members of the Roman Catholic Church
to the military dictatorship.
In 2006, Angel's life was portrayed in the film Zuzu Angel, directed by Sérgio Rezende
. The movie, in which Daniel de Oliveira
plays Stuart, is about the struggle of his mother Zuzu in order to find out the truth involving her son's death.
American Brazilian
An American Brazilian is a Brazilian person of full, partial or predominant North American ancestry, or a US–born person immigrant in Brazil.The Confederados are a cultural sub-group in the nation of Brazil...
guerrilla fighter captured, tortured and killed by officers of the Brazilian military dictatorship.
Biography
Stuart was born on Salvador, BahiaSalvador, Bahia
Salvador is the largest city on the northeast coast of Brazil and the capital of the Northeastern Brazilian state of Bahia. Salvador is also known as Brazil's capital of happiness due to its easygoing population and countless popular outdoor parties, including its street carnival. The first...
, to American salesman Norman Angel Jones and Brazilian fashion designer Zuzu Angel
Zuzu Angel
Zuleika Angel Jones, better known as Zuzu Angel , was a Brazilian-American fashion designer, who became famous for opposing the Brazilian military dictatorship after the forced disappearance of her son Stuart. Zuzu was also mother of journalist Hildegard Angel.-Biography:As a child, Zuzu moved to...
, having dual citizenship. Stuart was a graduation student at Federal University of Rio de Janeiro
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
The Federal University of Rio de Janeiro is one of the largest federal universities of Brazil, where public universities comprise the majority of the best and most qualified institutions...
's School of Economics when he joined left-wing urban guerrilla group Revolutionary Movement 8th October
Revolutionary Movement 8th October
The Revolutionary Movement 8th October is a Brazilian political movement, formerly an urban guerrilla group...
. He married fellow militant Sônia Maria Morais Angel Jones, who would also die under custody of the political police of the military dictatorship. Stuart, known by his mates under the codenames of "Paulo" and "Henrique", disappeared
Forced disappearance
In international human rights law, a forced disappearance occurs when a person is secretly abducted or imprisoned by a state or political organization or by a third party with the authorization, support, or acquiescence of a state or political organization, followed by a refusal to acknowledge the...
in 1971, at age 25.
Death and aftermath
Stuart was arrested in the neighborhood of Grajaú, Rio de JaneiroRio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro , commonly referred to simply as Rio, is the capital city of the State of Rio de Janeiro, the second largest city of Brazil, and the third largest metropolitan area and agglomeration in South America, boasting approximately 6.3 million people within the city proper, making it the 6th...
, near Av. 28 de Setembro, around 9 a.m. on June 14, 1971 by officers of the Aeronautics Information Center . He was then taken under custody to CISA headquarters, where he was reportedly tortured to death. According to witnesses, Stuart was reportedly tied to the back of a jeep with his mouth glued to the vehicle's exhaust pipe and dragged through the courtyard of the Aeronautics headquarters. According to this version, Stuart died by asphyxiation and carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
poisoning.
The torture sessions were witnessed by another political prisoner, Alex Polari, who wrote a letter to Zuzu talking about the circumstances of her son's death. Based on Alex's letter and other evidence, Zuzu denounced the murder of Stuart to Ted Kennedy
Ted Kennedy
Edward Moore "Ted" Kennedy was a United States Senator from Massachusetts and a member of the Democratic Party. Serving almost 47 years, he was the second most senior member of the Senate when he died and is the fourth-longest-serving senator in United States history...
, who unveiled the case during a speech at the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
. Zuzu also handed to then Secretary of State of the United States, Henry Kissinger
Henry Kissinger
Heinz Alfred "Henry" Kissinger is a German-born American academic, political scientist, diplomat, and businessman. He is a recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. He served as National Security Advisor and later concurrently as Secretary of State in the administrations of Presidents Richard Nixon and...
, a letter she wrote herself, a translation of Alex's letter, and a copy of the twentieth volume of the book History of the Brazilian Republic by Hélio Silva, in which the author denounces the death of the student. According to Silva, among the reactions of the regime to the protests of the American-Brazilian community were the removal and subsequent retirement of Brigadier João Paulo Burnier, considered responsible for Stuart's death, and the dismissal of then Minister of Aeronautics, Márcio de Sousa Melo.
Homages and cultural references
Stuart is the patron of Juventude Revolucionária 8 de Outubro, MR-8's youth branch. MR-8 is now a faction of the Brazilian Democratic Movement Party.Stuart's probable death by asphyxiation and carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide
Carbon monoxide , also called carbonous oxide, is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas that is slightly lighter than air. It is highly toxic to humans and animals in higher quantities, although it is also produced in normal animal metabolism in low quantities, and is thought to have some normal...
poisoning was referred in the lyrics of the song "Cálice", written by Chico Buarque
Chico Buarque
Francisco Buarque de Hollanda , popularly known as Chico Buarque , is a singer, guitarist, composer, dramatist, writer and poet...
and Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Gil
Gilberto Passos Gil Moreira , better known as Gilberto Gil or , is a Brazilian singer, guitarist, and songwriter, known for both his musical innovation and political commitment...
. This song is a harsh criticism to the support given by higher clergy members of the Roman Catholic Church
Roman Catholic Church
The Catholic Church, also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the world's largest Christian church, with over a billion members. Led by the Pope, it defines its mission as spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, administering the sacraments and exercising charity...
to the military dictatorship.
In 2006, Angel's life was portrayed in the film Zuzu Angel, directed by Sérgio Rezende
Sérgio Rezende
Sérgio Rezende is a Brazilian filmmaker. He is most known for directing several biographical films, such as Lamarca, Mauá - O Imperador e o Rei, and Zuzu Angel, about guerrilla leader Carlos Lamarca, entrepreneur Irineu Evangelista de Sousa, and stylist Zuzu Angel Jones, which embarked in a...
. The movie, in which Daniel de Oliveira
Daniel de Oliveira
Daniel de Oliveira was born in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil on June 19 1977.He voiced both The Mumble and Chicken Little for Brazilian audiences.He's married to Brazilian actress Vanessa Giácomo.-Soap Operas:...
plays Stuart, is about the struggle of his mother Zuzu in order to find out the truth involving her son's death.