Protests call for justice in the trial of those accused of murdering Marielle and Anderson

Family members will hold a vigil at dawn in front of the Court of Justice on Wednesday (30), the day of the trial, and a public class in front of Marielle's statue on the 31st

Photo by CARL DE SOUZA / AFP

On October 30, the alleged executors  of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes, Ronnie Lessa and Élcio de Queiroz, former police officers, will face a public jury at the 4th Jury Court in Rio de Janeiro’s city center, starting at 9 a.m.

After six years of seeking justice, defending her legacy, and preserving her memory, the Marielle Franco Institute, founded by her family, will call for a dawn vigil on the day of the defendants’ trial in front of the Court to gather people who also demand a firm and serious response in the case. The gathering is set for 7 am on October 30, with similar vigils being organized in other cities across Brazil.

Marinete Silva, Marielle’s mother and founder of the Institute, recalls that “it has been 78 months and over 2,000 days since they took Marielle and Anderson from us and we came together.” She says, “The collective strength of so many people who have been supporting us throughout these years has brought us to this point, and this month when justice will finally begin to be served. This is a decisive moment for everyone fighting for justice and for those who believe Brazil should be a serious country, one that doesn’t allow a Black woman to be assassinated with seven shots to the head on her way home from work.”

Ligia Batista, the current Executive Director, emphasizes that “the murder of Marielle and Anderson is a case of political violence based on gender and race in Brazil. The impunity surrounding crimes committed by police officers or former police officers against human rights defenders enables the repetition of similar acts and perpetuates racism, sexism, and LGBTQIAPN+phobia.”

In March of this year, brothers Domingos Brazão, then a counselor for the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Auditors (TCE-RJ), and Chiquinho Brazão, elected federal deputy for the União Brasil party, along with police chief Rivaldo Barbosa, were arrested and accused of being the masterminds behind the attack that killed Marielle Franco and her driver, Anderson Gomes. The three were held in custody in Rio de Janeiro under Operation Murder, Inc., launched by the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), the Rio de Janeiro Public Prosecutor’s Office (MPRJ), and the Federal Police (PF).

Click here to receive more information on the trial.