March for peace in Brazil slums after recent violence
Hundreds of people marched through the narrow streets of one of Brazil’s largest slums in a peaceful demonstration demanding an end to recent violence.
During the four-hour demonstration at Rio de Janeiro’s the Complexo Alemao, protesters carried banners reading “less bullets – more love,” and “we don’t want any more deaths”.
Community leaders told reporters that at least 500 people took part in the demonstration.
The march came a day after residents briefly clashed with police at the end of a rally held to protest the death of a boy in the shantytown, allegedly at the hands of the police.
Ten-year-old Eduardo de Jesus Ferreira was shot dead on Thursday during a police operation against suspected drug traffickers.
The boy’s mother, Terezinha Maria de Jesus, told the G1 news portal that her son was at the door of their home when she saw a police officer shoot him.
The police department has said the officers involved in the anti-gang operation have been suspended pending an investigation.
Violence has hit the Complexo Alemao in recent days with several suspects and bystanders shot as gangs and police exchange intense gunfire.
A 41-year-old housewife died after being hit by a stray bullet last week.
At least two suspected gang members were killed during a firefight on Wednesday. Another three people were shot as well, all believed to have no connections to gangs. One policeman was hurt.
