Brazil: Protesters Demand Justice for Murdered Congolese Immigrant

Wave of immigrants in a difficult economic time. What to do?

1:24

(CNN) --

Protesters in Brazil gathered in 20 cities Saturday to demand justice for Congolese immigrant Moise Kabagambe.

His family said Kabagambe was beaten to death on January 24 after demanding back pay for two days' work at a kiosk where he had served drinks.

Moise Kabagambe was seen on security camera video from the Tropicalia beach kiosk being attacked by a group of men who beat him repeatedly with a stick and a baseball bat, according to police, who have opened an investigation into his death.

Three men were arrested in connection with the murder, according to police.

This Saturday protests were held in 20 cities in Brazil, including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and Brasilia.

The protesters called for justice and harsh punishments for those involved in Kabagambe's death.

Many protesters also highlighted the broader issues of racism and perceived lack of opportunity faced by the Congolese community in Brazil.

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A view of signs on the pavement demanding justice during a protest against the murder of 24-year-old Congolese refugee Moise Kabagambe in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on February 5, 2022. - Kabagambe was beaten to death by three men after an argument in Rio de Janeiro on January 24, 2022. (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP) (Photo by NELSON ALMEIDA/AFP via Getty Images)

In Rio, protests were held in front of the Tropicalia beachfront kiosk where Moise was killed on January 24.

Images of the protest posted on social media show protesters tearing down the signs from the kiosk at the seaside bar.

In São Paulo, protesters gathered on Avenida Paulista, at the São Paulo Museum of Art.

In the federal capital, Brasilia, a meeting was held in front of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building.

“I can be a doctor, an engineer, a lawyer, but when I go to any company they tell me to do cleaning work,” said Claudine Shindany, a journalist and Congolese community activist, who spoke at the São Paulo rally.

She received with applause, she added: "[There is] total humiliation, offenses, defamation everywhere, at school, at the hospital, at work, I feel discrimination everywhere."

In a message posted on social media, Moise Kabagambe's family thanked "the many protesters for everyone's support up to this point, and also those who cared and organized the demonstrations."

This Saturday, the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo Paes, said on Twitter that the food stall for the beachfront kiosk would be offered to the Congolese's family.

His planning secretary also announced that the area near the settlement would become the site of a monument to African culture.