Brazil's July 'Julho das Pretas' rallies demand reparations and 'Bem Viver
Over the weekend of 24‑27 July 2026 Brazil saw nationwide mobilisations dubbed “Julho das Pretas”. Marches took place in Recife, Belo Horizonte, Belém, Salvador, São Vicente, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and other cities. Organisers centred the demands on reparations for historic racial inequality and the “Bem Viver” model of collective care and social justice. The actions coincided with the International Day of Afro‑Latin American and Caribbean Women and Brazil’s National Day of Tereza de Benguela (25 July).
Cultural performances by groups such as Afrolaje, Angoleiras and Obara Ylê de Ouro accompanied the protests. In Rio the NGO Criola launched the “O SUS que merecemos” health campaign during the 12th March of Black Women. The marches also honoured slain councilwoman Marielle Franco, whose mother Marinete Silva attended, and recalled the unsolved 2016 murder of activist Luana Barbosa during the 11th edition in São Paulo. Activists from the Coordination of Quilombola Communities, including Selma Dealdina Mbaye, demanded urgent land titling for more than 8 000 quilombola territories that house over 1.3 million people.
In Argentina, Afro‑Argentine leader Nélida Wisneke highlighted that the 2010 census counted only about 303 000 Afro‑descendants, a figure she says vastly understates the community.
Entities: Brazil · Clátia Vieira · Luana Barbosa · Marielle Franco · Nélida Wisneke · ONG Criola · Selma Dealdina Mbaye · Tereza de Benguela
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 13 SOURCES] July 25 is observed as the International Day of Black Latin‑American and Caribbean Women. (multiple articles)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The judiciary of Mato Grosso highlighted July as “Dia Estadual de Tereza de Benguela e da Mulher Negra.” (press release)
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Nélida Wisneke said the 2010 Argentine census counted about 303 000 Afro‑descendants, but the real number is higher. (direct quote)
- [● 4 SOURCES] Brazil celebrates July 25 as the National Day of Tereza de Benguela and of Black Women. (multiple articles)
- [● 2 SOURCES] A march of Black Women took place on July 26 in Copacabada, Rio de Janeiro, with the theme “In defense of democracy, against racism, for reparations and well‑being.” (event report)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Selma Dealdina Mbaye called for urgent land titling for quilombola territories, noting that women make up the majority of those communities. (direct quote)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Brazil has more than 8 000 quilombola communities, home to over 1.3 million people. (article data)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Angela Davis criticized gentrification and environmental racism in Paraty during the Flip literary festival. (direct quote)
- [● 2 SOURCES] Angela Davis spoke at the Paraty Literary Festival about gentrification and environmental racism.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Biblioteca Maju Coutinho, dedicated to Black cultural memory, was inaugurated in Rio.
- [● 3 SOURCES] In Brazil, July 25 is also the National Day of Tereza de Benguela, a historical quilombola leader.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Mato Grosso’s judiciary highlighted the month’s focus on Black women’s protagonism.