Brazilians chanted, "Marielle, Present," and "Justice for Marielle," as they commemorated the slain Black Brazilian feminist human rights activist and councilwoman, Marielle Franco, marking one month since her assassination.
Franco was shot dead in a car on Joaquim Palhares Street, in the Central Region of Rio, at about 9:30 p.m. on March 14. Community members held vigils and memorials around Rio de Janeiro on Saturday denouncing Franco's murder.
Deemed as a rising star in the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), Franco's death has sent shockwaves among community members who she was fighting for.
The slain 38-year-old activist known for her outspokenness about police brutality against favela residents has left several communities in Brazilian cities, of Recife, Belem, Salvador, Natal, Sao Paulo, enraged where people have protested her assassination, demanding answers from the government.
Franco was raised and lived in Mare, a complex of favelas where about 130,000 residents now must contend with the presence of Rio's two most powerful gangs - the Red Command and the Pure Third Command, along with militias often made up of off-duty or retired police and fireman, who are feared as the gangs.