Rio councilwoman's murder puts army takeover in spotlight

[Judi Lynn]

1. Outspoken Rio councilwoman who fought for the marginalized is shot to death; thousands mourn

By JILL LANGLOIS
MAR 15, 2018 | 3:45 PM
| SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL

Marielle Franco, a hard-charging City Council member, had become the face of resistance in Rio de Janeiro as she defended the city's marginalized communities, stood up for human rights and railed against a police force she believed was overly aggressive.

She was at it again Wednesday, urging supporters at a rally she'd organized to push for better treatment of black women

Hours later, she was dead, gunned down along with her driver as they traveled through the city's downtown.

Franco's death reverberated across the city and beyond as thousands of people gathered at rallies, expressed their outrage on Twitter and wept openly in public. Several human rights organization suggested the shooting was political and was an attack on those who push for improved rights in Brazil. Activists urged authorities to investigate the slaying as an assassination.

More:
http://www.latimes.com/world/la-fg-brazil-marielle-franco-20180315-story.html