In wake of councilwoman's murder, black Brazilians seek political voice

A picture of Rio de Janeiro city councillor Marielle Franco is seen, where she was shot dead in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil May 9, 2018. REUTERS/Ricardo Moraes

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - When black Brazilian filmmaker Anderson Quack and rapper Nega Gizza launched their bids to run for office in October's elections, the absence of a murdered colleague cast a long shadow over the event in an impoverished district of Rio de Janeiro.

Rising political star Marielle Franco, a black Rio councilwoman, had been instrumental in bringing the two candidates under the banner of her Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), but did not live to see them start their campaigns.