Marielle Franco didn’t die; she multiplied into thousands of voices clamouring for justice. This October, the world finally witnessed the sentencing of Ronnie Lessa to 78 years and Élcio de Queiroz to 59 years of imprisonment for the murders of councillor Marielle Franco, her driver as well as attempted murder of her surviving aide. After six and a half years of a trial marked by controversy, the verdict brought a feeling of belated but much-needed justice, especially for black, favela and vulnerable populations, who are often marginalised by the Brazilian judiciary. The case, however, is still far from being fully completed, as those suspected of organising her murder will soon be tried by the Federal Supreme Court.
Marielle, a black woman born and raised in the Maré favelas, became one of the greatest voices in the struggle for human rights, racial equality and social justice in Brazil. A councillor in Rio de Janeiro for PSOL (Socialism and Freedom Party), a left and far-left party, Marielle was elected with a large majority, representing the demands of favelas, women, the LGBTQIA+ community and other marginalised groups. Her policies denounced abuses by security forces, gender inequalities and the structural violence that affects favelas and peripheries. In this context, what triggered her murder was her fierce opposition to incoming regulation that would privatize squatted land, currently used for housing by many poor and disadvantaged groups in western Rio de Janeiro.
Her brutal execution on 14 March 2018 was an act of intimidation and silencing. That evening, as she returned home from a meeting, Marielle was accompanied by her driver Anderson Gomes and her parliamentary aide Fernanda Chaves. At Praça da Bandeira, a car stopped next to their vehicle and fired nine shots at them. Four shots hit Marielle’s head and neck; Anderson was shot three times in the back. Both died on the spot; Fernanda survived, wounded only by shrapnel. Despite the attacks’ brutality, which became a symbol of the fight against racism, sexism and social exclusion, Marielle’s memory transcended the violent act, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance for favela communities.
A deliberately lengthy process
From the outset, the case faced obstacles that exposed the weaknesses of the justice system. Marielle’s execution was a meticulously planned political crime, with methods deployed to purposefully complicate the identification of its perpetrators. The initial investigation was marked by slow progress, misdirection and suspicions of interference. In 2019, Ronnie Lessa was identified as the perpetrator of the shooting, while another agent, Élcio de Queiroz, drove the vehicle.
Both had links to militia – armed groups usually composed of current or former agents of the state itself, such as police officers and firefighters. Although they were arrested in 2019, the lengthy process leading to the trial showed the challenge of combating crimes involving state agents. Lessa attested for the involvement of federal deputy Chiquinho Brazão and his brother, Domingos Brazão, a counsellor at the Rio de Janeiro State Court of Auditors, as the real political masterminds that had ordered Marielle’s murder.
An important victory
The judgement handed down in October 2024 brought an important symbolic victory. The court recognised the political nature of the crime, stating that Marielle was murdered because of her work and her fight for social justice. During the trial, the judge highlighted the role of society in demanding justice and recalled that, despite the imperfections of the system, the verdict was a response to the victims’ families and to popular clamour. The decision also reignited discussions about the ineffectiveness of the Brazilian justice system in protecting victims of state violence or human rights defenders.
Marielle’s case demonstrated how structural racism affects access to justice in Brazil. Marielle, as a black woman from the favelas, represented thousands of citizens who face institutional discrimination. Her murder illustrates the dangers faced by those who challenge oppressive power structures. At the same time, the long road to holding the perpetrators accountable reflects the difficulties faced by marginalised populations when demanding justice. The conviction, although late, represents a milestone in the fight against police impunity and a reminder that popular mobilisation is key to putting pressure on institutions.
According to Redes da Maré, there is “great difficulty in proving that violence and rights violations often happen and are committed by public security agents.” The conviction of Lessa and Queiroz symbolises the recognition of the value of Marielle and Anderson’s lives, and by extension, the lives of all the people who live in the favelas. For these communities, the judgement is not only about justice, but also about dignity and the affirmation of rights. However, the trial of the masterminds of the crime is essential to complete this cycle of justice. The question that has been circulating since 2018 – who ordered the killing of Marielle? – has still not been answered, and holding those involved accountable at a higher level will be essential if the case is to become an example of transformation.
Marielle Franco’s case has become a global symbol of the fight for human rights. Her work continues to inspire young black women, LGBTQIA+ and favela residents to occupy spaces of power and fight for social change. Projects and movements in her name have grown around the world; in Paris, a garden was inaugurated in her name as a symbol of the fight for human rights, amplifying the voices of people who were previously made invisible. Her legacy reminds us that, even in the face of violence, the struggle for equality and justice cannot be silenced. Her memory is a pulsating incentive for new generations, who see in her the possibility of changing Brazil.
Justice still incomplete
The conviction of Lessa and Queiroz is an important victory, but still incomplete. Understanding who ordered Marielle’s death is a fundamental step towards making her case a watershed in the history of Brazilian justice. For this to happen, the active participation of civil society, which has mobilised from the outset to demand answers, is essential.
The Marielle Franco case is a portrait of Brazil’s structural inequalities, forcing the country to confront its contradictions, combat political violence and ensure that black and peripheral lives are valued and protected. This is in line with what Movimentos seeks to do by using education, art and communication to combat violence, racism and inequalities.
Marielle lives on in the memory of everyone who believes in a fairer and more equal Brazil. Her struggle is the struggle of many, and her justice, however belated, is a reminder that popular commotion and memory are key ingredients in the fight for social justice and the affirmation of a democratic rule of law. When I look at the young people who are mobilising for a fairer Brazil, I see the reflection of their struggle. It’s as if they were present at every protest, in every act of resistance. I am sure that, together, we will build a country where Marielle’s memory is synonymous with justice and equality for all.
