Escrache

An escrache (Spanish, derived from the verb escrachar, meaning "to reveal," "to expose," or "to make public") is a form of protest, originally used in Argentina and Uruguay, that involves publicly denouncing and confronting individuals perceived to be responsible for human rights abuses or corruption.

The practice typically involves activists gathering outside the home or workplace of the targeted individual, often accompanied by demonstrations, graffiti, flyers, and amplified sound systems, to publicly shame them and draw attention to their alleged wrongdoings. The goal of an escrache is to break the silence surrounding past atrocities or ongoing corruption and to hold the accused accountable, particularly in situations where formal legal avenues have been ineffective or unavailable.

While escraches are intended to be non-violent, they can be confrontational and may involve harassment or intimidation. As such, the practice is controversial, with supporters arguing it is a legitimate form of protest and a necessary tool for seeking justice, while critics contend it is a form of vigilante justice that infringes on the privacy and rights of the accused. The legality of escraches varies depending on the jurisdiction and the specific actions involved. The term has spread beyond Latin America and is sometimes used to describe similar forms of public shaming and accountability activism in other parts of the world.