‘We won’t allow hatred to claim more victims! We demand justice for our comrade,’ said legislator Rosa Amorim.

On Tuesday, two activists from the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) were struck by a car during the “March in Defense of Agrarian Reform and Democracy” held in the Brazilian city of Recife.

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“One of them, Gideone Sidonio de Menezes Filho, is in a coma after suffering a head injury. The driver who caused the accident fled the scene without providing assistance,” Diario de Pernambuco reported.

As hundreds of rural workers marched peacefully, the driver of the car invaded the space occupied by MST activists and abruptly drove into the blockade set up by the protesters.

After being struck, Gideone was rescued by emergency crews and taken to the trauma center of Restauração Hospital, where he is in a coma and under medical supervision.

Great piece by @Vinncent on Brazil’s Landless Workers’ Movement (@MSTOficial_)—one of the largest and most effective social movements in the world, at a time when good examples are sorely needed.https://t.co/rfAtkhKVxR pic.twitter.com/qkqA35erVW

— Bernardo Jurema (@bernajurema) April 15, 2025

The vehicle’s license plate was handed over to authorities, and police are working to identify the driver. The MST reported that it is taking all possible legal measures to ensure those responsible are held accountable.

“We will not allow hatred to claim more victims! We demand justice for our comrade, who is in serious condition. We demand that the person responsible for this hate crime be identified and punished for the crime they committed,” said State Representative Rosa Amorim, a member of the Workers’ Party.

Tuesday’s march was part of a national agenda of MST mobilizations in defense of agrarian reform, democracy, and public policies for family farming. “We repudiate all forms of violence against our activists and will not remain silent in the face of the crimes and injustices that affect us. The fight for agrarian reform is a just fight, so that landless families can have their rights guaranteed and produce food to feed the people!” the MST stated.

#FromTheSouth News Bits | Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Landless Workers' Movement (MST) leader Joao Pedro Stedile showed the "Patria Grande del Sur" project, an agricultural planting program to promote food security and environmentally friendly productive practices. pic.twitter.com/gjrPfwtkxx

— teleSUR English (@telesurenglish) September 26, 2024

teleSUR/ JF

Source: Metropoles – MST – Diario de Pernambuco

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