Thousands Protest in Brazil After Lesbian Politician Marielle Franco Killed in Apparent Assassination

Protests have been held across Brazil after councillor and activist Marielle Franco and her driver were shot dead in a suspected assassination. Franco, 38, was an openly serving lesbian politician who fought for minorities across Rio de Janeiro, where she grew up in one of the many favelas. She won the fifth-highest vote count of council members in 2015, defying the odds which were set against her as a black, gay woman. She often spoke openly about the need to crack down on discrimination against minority groups, as well as police violence who she said exercised excessive force.

March 16 / Pink News