In April 1996, the MST organized a march of the Landless from the southern part of the state of Pará with the intention of demanding Agrarian Reform. On April 4, 1996, approximately 500 Landless set from the Acampamento da Juventade. On April 14, 1996 began marching south from Belem, the state capital. By April 17th the number of marchers had swelled to about 1,500. The march occupied and blocked PA-150 in Eldorado de Carajás with the intention of pressuring the state and federal government to implement agrarian reform.