Landless worker leader shot to death in Brazil

August 25, 2011 Associated Press

RIO DE JANEIRO — A watchdog group that focuses on land rights in
Brazil says a leader of landless workers has been killed in the forested
state of Para.

The Catholic Land Pastoral says Valdemar Oliveira Barbosa was gunned down
Thursday on his bike in the town of Maraba. Barbosa is the fourth person
killed in connection to environmental or land rights movements in Para
since May.

According to the CPT, Barbosa had coordinated the takeover of a farm over
a year ago. The families were pushed out by police, but Barbosa planned to
return.

They believe the murder may be connected to Barbosa's intent to return.

Police in Maraba have no suspects. No one has been arrested in connection
to the other killings.