Leader of Brazil Social Movement for the Poor Gunned Down

Márcio Matos was an MST leader who was involved in the political struggles of the state of Bahia. Recently, he was found dead in his home. According to his family and friends, Matos was killed with three gun shots in the presence of his young son.

MST, a Landless Workers' Movement, is considered a social movement in Brazil that is generally regarded as one of the largest in Latin America with an estimated informal membership of 1.5 million people from 23 of Brazil's 26 states. MST’s stated goals are “access to the land for poor workers through land reform in Brazil and activism around social issues that make land ownership more difficult to achieve, such as unequal income distribution, racism, sexism, and media monopolies.” MST works to achieve a self-sustainable way of life for the rural poor.

As stated on the MST website, “Márcio was one of the minds behind the many achievements we have had in recent years. He put into practice principles such as solidarity and companionship, without forgetting values forged in the heart of the struggles, such as political sensitivity, understanding, dialogue and a tireless ability to be indignant with injustice.”

Further discussions on the website of MST point to the increasing violence surrounding social and environmental movements in Brazil. “The death of the comrade adds to a disheartening nation-wide surge of violence against peasant workers.” According to the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT), 2017 was a bloody year. ‘The conditions endured by the peasants and peoples of the water and forests demanded stubbornness, resistance and questioning the role of the state,’ the organization explains. The Commission has reported further that “65 people were murdered in conflicts over land, in many cases with cruelty, a number that makes Brazil the most violent country for peasant populations in the world.”