Latin America

Judi Lynn

(160,621 posts) Fri Jun 21, 2013, 04:09 PM Jun 2013

Mood in Brazil Tense Yet Hopeful After Mass Protests

Mood in Brazil Tense Yet Hopeful After Mass Protests
Editor of National Geographic Brasil explains underlying causes of the unrest.

~snip~
What is the mood like in Sao Paulo right now?

In Sao Paulo it's pretty good, better than most of the country, which might be a little bit hungover. There was less violence here than a lot of other places, from what I can tell.

Brazil's president, Dilma Rousseff [herself a former student protester], has called an emergency cabinet meeting, so everyone is waiting to see what the government will do, how they will address this now.

What about the mood in Rio de Janeiro?

I don't know too much about [that], but the protests were a lot more violent there from what I've read. There were a reported 40 people injured. There were an awfully lot of people in the streets in Rio and Sao Paulo. Right at this moment it's very much wait and see, but a lot of people who were involved or in the streets no longer will be.

There's a new movement out, which is to get out of the streets, because people don't want it to turn into vandalism and violence. But a lot will depend on how the government responds.

More:
http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/130621-brazil-protests-sao-paulo-rio-matthew-shirts/

3 replies

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Highlight:

Mood in Brazil Tense Yet Hopeful After Mass Protests (Original Post) Judi Lynn Jun 2013 OP

I don't get it, naaman fletcher Jun 2013 #1

A good account on the mood here. ocpagu Jun 2013 #2

It seemed the National Georgraphic Brazil writer echoed Judi Lynn Jun 2013 #3

naaman fletcher

(7,362 posts)

1. I don't get it,

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Jun 21, 2013, 04:32 PM

Jun 2013

the bus fare hikes have been repealed. What are the protests about?

ocpagu

(1,954 posts)

2. A good account on the mood here.

Reply to Judi Lynn (Original post)

Fri Jun 21, 2013, 05:08 PM

Jun 2013

Thanks for sharing. The progressive moments, organizations and parties have abandoned the protests in São Paulo. Some are happenning here and there, but they are small groups, most smaller than 500 individuals or less, defending specific causes or battle flags that are unlikely to get popular support. Some of them opportunits of the right-wing that can not attract popular support to their causes, like groups in other cities also using violence angainst protesters themselves, throwing rocks against buses with passangers, trying to storm government buildings, etc.

Judi Lynn

(160,621 posts)

3. It seemed the National Georgraphic Brazil writer echoed

Reply to ocpagu (Reply #2)

Fri Jun 21, 2013, 07:28 PM

Jun 2013

many of the feelings you've written here already and was deeply optimistic about the future of Brazil, and sees this event as part of the forward movement which will result in more progress for the whole country.

He mentioned something I found REALLY interesting, and undoubtedly predictable!

There was a very small group of very violent right-wing protesters, and they have had an enormous influence on the amount of violence. There's a lot going on; it's a very complex dynamic.

We've seen this elsewhere, haven't we? You bet we have.

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