Land reform demand in Brazil

Tens of thousands of landless rural workers marched in various states across Brazil to commemorate the seventh anniversary of one of the country’s bloodiest land-rights massacres.

The protesters, members of the Landless Rural Workers’ Movement, were also demanding President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva speed progress on land reform in Brazil.

On April 17, 1996 police killed 19 landless farmers while attempting to clear a road near Eldorado dos Carajas in the Amazon state of Para.

Only two of more than 150 officers charged in the massacres have been convicted and pending appeal.