Genivaldo Braz do Nascimento was one of the leaders of the Gurguéia settlement of the Landless Workers Movement in Araguaina, north of Tocatins. On 8 July 2017 he was allegedly shot in the face while he slept, resulting in his death. do Nascimento had previously reported death threats. The region has a history of violence between landowners and landless workers due to the resettlement program intended to return lands to local communities.