Family members of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes embrace in court after the sentencing of the murderers. Photo: Agência Brasil.
Family members, friends, activists, and all those demanding justice for the assassination of Marielle Franco and Anderson Gomes celebrated the sentencing of their murderers by the Brazilian judiciary. They acknowledged that although all those who were involved in the murders are yet to be sentenced, Thursday, October 31, was a historic day, occurring nearly seven years since the crime was committed. The perpetrators of the double homicide, former police officers Ronnie Lessa and Élcio Queiroz, were handed lengthy prison terms by Judge Lúcia Glioche, who also ordered them to pay alimony to Gomes’ son, Arthur, until he turns 24.
Rio de Janeiro councilor and partner of Marielle Franco, Mônica Benício, stated, “After six years and seven months of fighting for justice, today the murderers of my wife, Marielle Franco, and Anderson Gomes were finally convicted of homicide, attempted homicide [of Franco’s aide Fernanda Chaves], and receiving the vehicle used in the crime. Ronnie Lessa was sentenced to 78 years in prison and Élcio Queiroz to 59 years.”
Ver Ronnie Lessa e Élcio Queiroz condenados resgata a esperança na justiça dos homens. Nenhuma sentença é reparadora. Nenhuma condenação é restauradora da ausência. Não é felicidade o que sinto, mas alívio em ver, pela 1ª vez, alguma materialidade e responsabilização nisso tudo.
— Monica Benicio (@monica_benicio) October 31, 2024
Marielle Franco’s daughter, Luyara Franco, stated, “This day enters into the history of the democracy in this country. We still have a long way to go in this case, but today is clearly the first step, and we will continue fighting.”
Momento em que a juíza Lucia Mothe Glioche lê a sentença do julgamento. pic.twitter.com/fTItZRhPoa
— Monica Benicio (@monica_benicio) October 31, 2024
Franco’s mother, Marinete Francisco, said her daughter “was waiting for this day. Every day is a victory.”
The state congresswoman from Rio de Janeiro, Renata Souza, noted, “This is an important step to hold accountable those who took Marielle from us. Reliving all this pain in the last few days has been devastating for all of us, especially for the families of Marielle and Anderson, to whom I send all my love and affection. There is no justice that can heal this pain.”
O que eu mais queria era a vida de Marielle e Anderson de volta. A presença da minha amiga ao meu lado, com aquele sorriso aberto, vendo Rubi crescer, lutando por um mundo melhor e um horizonte de dignidade para todos e todas.
Que Anderson pudesse estar ao lado de Aghata, para… pic.twitter.com/W9rQ1QQJiO
— Renata Souza (@renatasouzario) November 1, 2024
The Marielle Franco Institute, which never stopped demanding justice for Marielle, posted on social media, “It has been 78 months, more than 2,000 days since Marielle and Anderson were taken from us. We marched, we shouted, we cried, we tied scarves, and raised banners in search of justice. Our strength has brought us here, and this month, justice has finally begun to be served.”
Meanwhile, PSOL activist and feminist Sâmia Bomfim emphasized, “We will not rest until all those involved are held accountable.”
The widow of Anderson Gomes, Ághata Arnaus, commented that from now on, she will embrace her son Arthur “more proudly” for not having given up over all these years in the pursuit of justice for the murder of her husband.
Suspected Masterminds Behind Marielle Franco Assassination Arrested by Brazilian Authorities
At the moment, there is no date for the trial of the alleged masterminds of the crime, namely, former federal Deputy Chiquinho Brazão, former Councilor of the Court of Auditors of Rio de Janeiro Domingos Brazão, and former head of the Civil Police, Rivaldo Barbosa. However, the Brazão brothers have already been indicted by the Federal Supreme Court.
Defendants in the case also include former military policeman Robson Calixto, Domingos Brazão’s former advisor, who allegedly helped him get rid of the murder weapon, and Major Ronald Paulo Alves Pereira, who allegedly monitored Franco’s daily routine. They are yet to be indicted.
Who was Marielle Franco?
Marielle Francisco da Silva was born in Rio de Janeiro on July 27, 1979, and was raised in the Maré favela. She was the elder daughter of Marinete Francisco and Antônio da Silva Neto. She had a younger sister, Anielle Franco. Marielle had her daughter Luyara when she was 19 years old.
Franco defended the fight for the dignity of the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. As a resident of Maré favela, she worked for public security policies and the rights of the favela’s population. She opposed the implementation of the Pacifying Police Units (UPP) that intervened in the Brazilian favelas and committed human rights violations.
Marielle Franco’s election as a councilor of Rio de Janeiro in 2016, with over 50,000 votes, marked a milestone in Brazilian politics.
“Marielle se orgulhava em ser mulher negra, mãe e favelada. Quando eleita, ela passou a representar e lutar por pessoas iguais a ela”, disse em seu discurso Daniele Silva, do MP.
Continue acompanhando o julgamento em: https://t.co/yELDjMOfRm#justiçapormarielleeanderson pic.twitter.com/MkXX9HuYpt
— Instituto Marielle Franco (@inst_marielle) October 31, 2024
Marielle was also the president of the Women’s Commission of Congress and worked on policies to combat sexual violence, for women’s sexual and reproductive rights, in defense of education, for the rights of LGBTQ+ people, the fight against racism, and in defense of African culture and heritage.
On March 14, 2018, Marielle Franco was gunned down while returning home from a solidarity event with black women in Rio de Janeiro. Her vehicle was hit by 13 shots. Her driver, Anderson Gomes, was also assassinated.
(Telesur) with Orinoco Tribune content
Translation: Orinoco Tribune
OT/SC/SF
