Anielle Franco celebrates the arrest of those who allegedly ordered Marielle’s death, cries and says: ‘Only God knows how much we dreamed of this day’ | Rio de Janeiro

Anielle: ‘They killed my sister, but we will not succumb’

The Minister of Racial Equality, Anielle Franco, published on social media this Sunday (24) a message commemorating the arrest of three alleged perpetrators of the death of councilor Marielle Franco (PSOL-RJ).

Anielle is the sister of Marielle, who was shot in March 2018. Driver Anderson Gomes was also executed that night.

“Only God knows how much we dream of this day! Today is another big step towards getting the answers we’ve asked ourselves so much in recent years: who ordered Mari to be killed and why? I’m grateful for the commitment of the PF, the federal government, the MP federal and state and Minister Alexandre de Moraes. We are closer to Justice! Great day!”, he wrote.

In an interview with GloboNews alongside her mother, Marinete, Anielle Franco cried when commenting on the information that the former head of the Civil Police, Rivaldo Barbosa, had “endorsed” Marielle’s death and assured the group that the crime would go unpunished.

The information comes from reporter Bruno Tavares, from TV Globo, who also revealed the operation this Sunday.

“It’s a mix of anger with the certainty of impunity, with hope that we can go this long way. I’m a little in shock because it’s the one who should be protecting,” said Anielle.

“We have been fighting since we were young for a system that unfortunately is corrupt from start to finish. I saw my sister fight, wake up every day, become the woman she has become. Being elected as she was, honestly.”

Anielle also said that she received a call from President Lula and the first lady, Janja, early in the morning. The couple has not yet commented officially or on social media about the arrests.

Federal Police arrest suspects in the murder of Marielle Franco

“President Lula and Janja called us at the beginning of the interview, to talk and give us more strength for this moment. And it’s not just that. […] It’s hard to hear that, it’s hard to fight for what you believe in and have your leadership, the person you believe in… My mother raised my sister and I very hard, very hard. To be like this, disposable? For a man who is up front, who should be protecting us. That he should be playing his role, and we now know that he is complicit in a terrible crime like my sister’s,” said Anielle.

“There is still a long way to go, and I want to reiterate here: they killed my sister, but we will not succumb to this system. We are here and will continue here defending Marielle’s legacy, the people who believe in her, the people who fight with us side by side, from the beginning. We’re going to do politics like she did, until the end, even though we took several steps,” he continued.

Marielle and Anielle Franco’s mother, Marinete da Silva, also spoke to GloboNews after the arrests.

“We are moved, saddened and also have hope. This Palm Sunday, for us, goes far beyond what we believe as Christians. Of a dignified Justice, and also of a democracy that needs to be approved. The story from Marielle, our story as a black woman. Of overcoming, living with betrayal, believing in true politics.”

“We have no more words to say, just gratitude and strength. For us to continue, because this will not end here. Just as we see, the day before [ao crime], for a man to assume and unfortunately believe he has the right to condemn such a crime, against a defenseless woman. It is to say that we were on a path of no return. It’s very difficult,” he added.