Protests in Brazil have entered a second day with tens of thousands of people flooding the streets to mourn a prominent advocate for women’s rights and the rights of disadvantaged people living in favelas, Marielle Franco, who was shot dead late Wednesday evening. The video shows ongoing protests, with people marching holding banners and placards and demanding justice for Franco.
Thousands of people in Rio's city council in honour of Marielle Franco, councilor and activist that was executed after denouncing corrupt police officers. Her voice will not be silenced. pic.twitter.com/OOJE1b6M8w
— Oregon I.T. not IT ⚾ (@OregonJOBS2) 16 марта 2018 г.
People have launched a hashtag #SayHerName on social media to commemorate Franco and honor her contribution to the fight for human rights in Brazil:
"How many more must die for this war to end?" #MarielleFranco
— Aline George (@Rosebudiam) 17 марта 2018 г.
One more 😢
Unbelievable #ENDviolence#Brasil#SayHerName https://t.co/fnYdjwVFqm
Solidarity action for #MarielleFranco — #SAYHERNAME at union square! We've said enough is enough so many times now! #feministvision #TimeIsNow pic.twitter.com/TeywIG86qN
— Hanna Gunnarsson (@HKGunnarsson) 17 марта 2018 г.
#SayHerName | #MarielleFranco
— the movement oprah (@blackboikei) 16 марта 2018 г.
TONIGHT, UnionSquare @ 6PM •
We will gather. We will grieve. We will mourn. We will march. We will not go silently. We will uplift the life and the power of Marielle!
ALL #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/qGLodym9Ab
Please do your research today and learn about Marielle Franco. I just did and I’m incredibly saddened by her assassination but so inspired by what she stood for. Brazil we are with you. #SayHerName
— Bas (@Bas) 16 марта 2018 г.
Council woman #MarielleFranco #SayHerName she was assassinated two nights ago in #Rio. She was fighting against antiblack police terror. She was an advocate for black women and black people in Brazil. #BlackLivesMatter pic.twitter.com/65IQQ2BiCB
— The Brown Bohemian (@Joxhua_Joxeph) 16 марта 2018 г.
Today we mourn #MarielleFranco (z”l), a leftist Black feminist elected official who was assassinated in Rio, Brazil yesterday. She was an outspoken critic of police violence and corruption. #SayHerName #MarielleVive! pic.twitter.com/slHuGkg3vO
— JFREJ (@JFREJNYC) 15 марта 2018 г.
According to media reports, two men in a vehicle fired nine shots into Franco’s car, killing both her and her driver.
Having grown up in one of Rio’s largest favelas, Franco was a popular LGBTQ and human rights activist, a vocal critic of police brutality and the only black female representative and one of seven women on the 51-seat City Council.
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On the eve of her murder she commented on a recent act of police violence in the country, following the death of the 23-year-old poor black man Matheus Malo.
“How many more must die for this war to end?” she tweeted.
Mais um homicídio de um jovem que pode estar entrando para a conta da PM. Matheus Melo estava saindo da igreja. Quantos mais vão precisar morrer para que essa guerra acabe?
— Marielle Franco (@mariellefranco) 13 марта 2018 г.
Marielle Franco’s assassination comes nearly a month after the incumbent President Michel Temer signed a decree giving the military vast jurisdiction in order to take control over security and restore order – a move that was strongly criticized by the slain politician.
