lang: en
Summary
In July 2013, residents of the Rocinha favela in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, protested the disappearance of bricklayer Amarildo de Souza after he was taken by police. The campaign used marches, vigils, and social media to demand justice, leading to the conviction of thirteen police officers in 2016. Although Amarildo’s body was never found, the case became a symbol of police brutality and corruption.
Background
Starting in 2008, the Brazilian government established police pacification units (UPP) in Rio de Janeiro’s favelas to maintain security after clearing drug traffickers. On 14 July 2013, UPP officers picked up bricklayer Amarildo de Souza in Rocinha on suspicion of drug trafficking, and he was never seen again. His family reported his disappearance on 16 July, sparking protests demanding justice and accountability.
What happened
On 17 and 19 July 2013, Rocinha residents held protests with candles, signs, and portraits of Amarildo, shutting down the Lagoa-Barra highway. [source: nv-database] Social media campaigns asked ‘Where is Amarildo?’ which became the central slogan [source: nv-database]. A week later, the UPP suspended four officers involved, who had prior abuse allegations [source: nv-database]. Protests continued on 31 July at Copacabana beach and spread to multiple cities on 1 August, with over 600 residents marching in Rocinha and Black Bloc holding a solidarity march in São Paulo. [source: nv-database] Demonstrators demanded demilitarization of police and resignation of governors, but focused on bringing those responsible for Amarildo’s disappearance to justice [source: nv-database]. On 2 August, Amnesty International called for an independent investigation [source: nv-database]. On 10 August, actor Wagner Moura referenced the case at the Gramada Film Festival [source: nv-database]. On Father’s Day, 11 August, artists joined protests in Rocinha [source: nv-database]. On 13 August, NGO Rio de Paz organized a demonstration at the Legislative Assembly of Rio de Janeiro, highlighting the prevalence of disappearances [source: nv-database]. In October 2013, investigators concluded that UPP officers tortured and killed Amarildo, and 25 officers were indicted [source: nv-database]. In November 2014, a civil court ordered the state to pay Amarildo’s family for damages [source: nv-database]. In June 2015, the case was reopened, and on 2 February 2016, Judge Daniella Alvarez Prado ruled Amarildo was murdered, sentencing 13 officers to 9-13 years in prison while acquitting 12 [source: nv-database].
Key people & organizations
- Amarildo de Souza
- Elisabete Gomes de Souza
- Amnesty International
- NGO Rio de Paz
- Black Bloc
- Thaila Ayala
- Fernanda Paes Leme
- Wagner Moura
- Paula Lavigne
- Police Pacification Unit (UPP)
- Rio de Janeiro state government
- Sergio Cabral
- Geraldo Alckmin
- Marcelo Freixo
- Judge Daniella Alvarez Prado
Tactics used
- boycotts-and-strikes
- nonviolent-direct-action
- civil-resistance
- coalition-building
- framing-and-narrative
- petitions-and-e-campaigning
- public-narrative
- methods-of-nonviolent-action
The campaign combined street protests, highway blockades, candlelight vigils, and social media slogans to maintain public pressure and frame the disappearance as a symbol of police corruption. The use of portraits and the repeated question ‘Where is Amarildo?’ created a powerful narrative that resonated nationally and internationally. [source: nv-database]
Outcome
Verdict: partial.
Although Amarildo’s body was never found, the campaign achieved partial success: 13 of 25 officers were convicted, the state was ordered to pay damages, and the case highlighted systemic police brutality. The movement did not achieve full demilitarization of police or resignation of politicians, but it brought significant accountability and public awareness. [source: nv-database]
Lessons
- A simple, repeatable slogan can unify a campaign and sustain media attention.
- Combining local protests with social media amplifies the message and builds solidarity across cities.
- Involving celebrities and human rights organizations can increase pressure on authorities.
- Nonviolent tactics like vigils and highway blockades can disrupt daily life without alienating the public.
Sources
- Global Nonviolent Action Database —
[[nv-database]]
Disclaimer: Included as a teaching example of campaign craft, not as endorsement.
Sources & verification
nv-database— grounding: primary — license: link-only- Rewritten: 2026-06-25 via
worker_casestudies_v2.py