The six years since the murder of councilwoman Marielle Franco and driver Anderson Gomes were remembered in a great event this Thursday afternoon (14), in the center of Rio de Janeiro. Family members, friends and other victims of violence protested against the crime, which continues to this day without the perpetrators being informed.
Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 03/14/2024 – Marielle Franco’s daughter, Luyara Santos during Act for Justice, in the center of Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil – Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
Luyara Franco, Marielle’s daughter, highlighted the seriousness of this delay. “Six years is too long. It’s too long for pain, for longing and for justice. It is unacceptable that our family, Anderson’s family, still does not have an answer about who ordered the murder.”
Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 03/14/2024 – The Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco during the Act for Justice, in the center of Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil – Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
Anielle Franco, Marielle’s sister and Minister of Racial Equality, reinforced the protest. “Once again I repeat the same phrase that I have been saying for six years. I hope that we no longer have to wait another 6 years, another year, for us to answer who ordered the murder of Marielle and Anderson.”
Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 03/14/2024 – Marielle Franco’s mother, Marinete Silva during Ato por Justiça, in the center of Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil – Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
Marinete Silva, Marielle’s mother, defined the date as a day of resistance. “On a day of struggle, on a day of pain, but also a day of resistance to continue this fight, to continue with our objective, which is justice for Marielle and Anderson.”
Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 03/14/2024 – Anderson Gomes’ widow, Agatha Arnaus during Act for Justice, in the center of Rio de Janeiro. Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil – Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
Agatha Reis, widow of Anderson Gomes, recalled the need for justice not only for the councilor and the driver, but for many other victims of violence. “We need a lot of answers, we need a lot of changes. Not just who ordered the murder of Marielle and Anderson, but there are many other answers.”
Rio de Janeiro (RJ), 03/14/2024 – Councilor Monica Benicio, during a symbolic act that marks the six years since the murder of Marielle Franco, on the steps of the Rio de Janeiro City Council. Photo: Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil – Tomaz Silva/Agência Brasil
During the morning, Marielle’s widow and councilor Mônica Benício, led another event, in front of the City Council, in Cinelândia, also in the Center. Mônica spoke about the investigations into the case. “There have been significant advances since last year, especially with the plea of Élcio Queiroz, who is now a confessed defendant, putting himself there, admitting that he was the driver who drove the car, who was carrying Ronnie Lessa who was the shooter who murdered Marielle and Anderson. But my expectation was that we wouldn’t actually reach the six-year milestone without these answers.”
The Public Ministry of Rio de Janeiro, which created a task force to monitor the investigations in 2021, reported that progress was made in the last year of the investigations. The Federal Police, which has been working on the case since the beginning of last year, said it does not comment or disclose information about ongoing investigations.
