Wrongful Accusation: Black Student Targeted in Rio de Janeiro

Rio de Janeiro: Black College Student Wrongly Accused of Theft A concerning incident unfolded in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, when Gabriel Guimarães Secundino, a 25-year-old computer science student, was wrongly accused of theft. While walking to the Universidade Estadual do Rio (Uerj) in Vila Isabel, Secundino was stopped by a truck driver who claimed Secundino had stolen his phone. The driver, who hasn't been identified, held Secundino until police from the Segurança Presente program arrived. Secundino, who recorded the incident on his phone, stated, "He initially held me alleging that it was me because a woman said it was a 'boy.' Even with the police, the truck driver kept trying to coerce me, so I started recording." The video shows another young man detained nearby escaping police custody. Secundino filed a police report at the 20ª DP (Vila Isabel) and plans to take legal action against the truck driver. The incident raises concerns about racial profiling and the need for improved police procedures. Secundino's lawyer accompanied him to the police station. The police did not arrest the truck driver. This incident underscores the importance of fair and unbiased policing. Further investigation is needed to ensure accountability and prevent similar incidents in the future. Secundino's experience highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Black individuals in Brazil.