The acts of violence committed by the Military Police against the population of Rio de Janeiro on June 21, 1968, in what became known as Bloody Friday, would not be forgotten by the city's residents. Different sectors of society organized to show that they would not tolerate such arbitrary acts, and they did so through a large peaceful demonstration.
The most different sectors of society marched together, arm in arm – 06/26/1968. Correio da Manhã Collection/Arquivo Nacional.
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a demonstration. In the foreground, we see a group of people walking together, some standing and others walking. At the front, there is a man in a suit with a white handkerchief. To his right, someone is holding a white banner with black lettering. In the background, more people are present, some appearing to be talking. The ground is covered with scattered sheets of paper.The political groundwork began with pressure from intellectuals and artists on the governor of the state of Guanabara, Negrão de Lima, to authorize the march and guarantee that police would not interfere. Once the go-ahead was given, students, religious figures, teachers and mothers went ahead with organizing the march, scheduled for June 26.
On the appointed day, still in the morning, hundreds of people gathered on the steps of the State Legislative Assembly. Hopeful, they carried signs with different slogans. Vladimir Palmeira, one of the most important student leaders of the period, was the master of ceremonies for the event. During the rally, in Cinelândia, his speeches were met with cheers; teachers, bank workers, and priests were also heard. Dona Irene Papi, one of the speakers, moved those present: "I speak on behalf of all the mothers who saw their children massacred."
Vladimir Palmeira, one of the leading student leaders of the period, speaking during the march. O Globo Archive.
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a large demonstration. On the left side, two men in suits are above the heads of the crowd, apparently giving speeches. The crowd is densely gathered, occupying the entire extent of the image. In the background, there is a building with classical architecture, possibly a palace or a theater. The people are arranged horizontally, with some raising flags.Around 2 p.m., the march, which already gathered more than a hundred thousand people, set off toward Candelária. Organized in blocs, the artists went in front – Chico Buarque, Paulo Autran, and Clarice Lispector marched arm in arm. Next came the religious leaders, congressmen, students, and many others. Confetti rained down from the windows of the buildings. The slogan of the day was "Down with the Dictatorship," although there was disagreement about how to bring it down. Despite the criticism of the dictatorial government, the event ended at Tiradentes Square without a single clash being recorded.
The Passeata dos Cem Mil (March of the One Hundred Thousand) was one of the largest public demonstrations against the Military Dictatorship. Correio da Manhã Collection/Arquivo Nacional.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of a large demonstration. On the left, we see a building with classical architecture, while on the right, there is a dense, tightly packed crowd holding flags and placards. The placards contain text in Portuguese, though it is not fully legible. The crowd appears to be walking toward the left side of the image, filling the entire available space.Days later, President Costa e Silva received a commission of representatives chosen during the demonstration. However, the demands presented, such as the release of the arrested students and the granting of more funding for the universities, were dismissed. The Passeata dos Cem Mil (March of the One Hundred Thousand) would be the last great demonstration of those years.
