Red Shoes Installation Appears in Boston Common

The Zapatos Rojos project honors domestic violence victims with hundreds of red-painted shoes.

Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Violence

Bold flat-color editorial illustration depicting red-painted shoe shapes near a fountain pedestal, evoking awareness for victims of domestic violence. — Hundreds of red-painted shoes were placed in Boston Common as part of the Zapatos Rojos art installation to honor victims of domestic violence. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Hundreds of red shoes have been placed around the Brewer Fountain in Boston Common to represent victims of gender-based and domestic violence. The installation, known as Zapatos Rojos, marks Boston as the fifth U.S. city to host the exhibit.

Why it matters

The project serves to raise awareness of domestic violence and build networks of solidarity for survivors and victims. It highlights a troubling trend of violence against younger individuals in the community.

Domestic violence-related homicides accounted for 17% of statewide homicides between 2020 and 2024, rising to nearly 24% of all homicides in 2024. Data shows the majority of these victims were under the age of 35.

The players

Elina Chauvet

She is the artist who created the Zapatos Rojos project as a response to the murder of her sister.

Lawyers for Civil Rights

This organization partnered with 10 local groups and students to prepare the shoes for the Boston installation.

The details

Artist Elina Chauvet created the project in Ciudad Juarez following the murder of her sister in 2009. Locally, Lawyers for Civil Rights partnered with 10 organizations and student volunteers in East Boston to collect and paint the shoes red for this display.

The project originated in 2009 after Elina Chauvet's sister was murdered.
Data analysis covered the period from 2020 to 2024.
Domestic violence homicides reached nearly 24% in 2024.
The installation appeared in Boston Common on October 28, 2026.

Legal Context

The Zapatos Rojos movement follows the pattern set by the 2009 murder of Elina Chauvet's sister in Ciudad Juarez, which sparked a global art movement against gender-based violence. This installation brings that international dialogue into the context of Boston's local domestic violence homicide statistics.

The installation at Brewer Fountain serves as a visible reminder for residents to acknowledge domestic violence prevention efforts in the area. Visitors to Boston Common can view the display as part of a city-wide effort to create networks of solidarity.

The takeaway

The Zapatos Rojos installation transforms personal loss into a public call for systemic awareness regarding domestic violence. Residents can participate in local advocacy by engaging with the organizations that maintain these solidarity networks.