Mothers in Rio de Janeiro whose sons were killed by police are organizing to demand governmental recognition and financial support through a nationwide reparations policy. Ana Paula Oliveira, whose 19-year-old son was killed in 2014, credits her participation in a support group of grieving mothers with helping her survive the trauma. The group attends judicial hearings, protests, and commemorative events together while seeking accountability for police killings and advocating for systemic change.
According to the Crossfire Institute, 460 people died during police operations in Rio last year, representing a 52% increase from the previous year and the highest number since 2016. Brazilian Forum on Public Safety data indicates that more than 6,000 people are killed by police annually since 2018, with the largest share of victims aged 18 to 24 and 82% identified as Black. The mothers have presented their proposal to Brazil’s judiciary, legislative, and executive branches in the capital, with support from Raave, a network assisting those affected by police killings.
Some members of the activist movement have parlayed their grief into electoral politics. Monica Cunha, whose son was killed in 2006, is launching a precandidacy for state lawmaker in upcoming October elections, pledging to fight for memory, truth, justice, and reparations. Another activist, Nadia dos Santos, lost two sons to police violence and is pushing for a public policy mandating government restitution to mothers affected by state violence.
The mothers have proposed various forms of reparation, including memorials in public spaces and renaming facilities such as schools and hospitals after victims. They also advocate for preventative public policies aimed at reducing future incidents. One recent legal victory encouraged the group: in 2023, police officers involved in the death of Fabricio dos Santos were sentenced to nine years in prison, giving other mothers hope that accountability through the courts remains possible. The activists argue that the state bears responsibility for providing care and solutions to families devastated by police violence.
Originally reported by AP News. Read the full story →