Wuilly Arteaga is a Venezuelan violinist and pro-democracy activist who became an unexpected symbol of the country’s democratic opposition. When anti-government demonstrations erupted in 2017, Arteaga — dressed in his country’s colors and armed only with his musical instrument — played the violin at the front lines of the protests amidst riot police, armed vehicles, and tear gas. Shortly after, Arteaga was arrested while playing the violin during a protest in Caracas and taken to a military prison. While in custody, he was subjected to torture at the hands of the Bolivarian National Guard and forced to watch soldiers rape a female protester. He is now living in exile in New York City.