The Brazilian Politics Thread

Well, I don't know if any of you are aware of this, but in these later days a series of protests were held in Brazil's most important cities (I live in one of them, by the way). They were, initially, against the raising of the bus-fare, but now those 20 cents are just the tip of the iceberg, we're now protesting against everything the government has done to us: the money they steal every day, the poor health system, the poor education, their neglection of those problems to instead invest in stadiums... Well, this video sumarizes the issue and my opinions so far.

More info here. Google is also your friend. Also, don't forget to check out The Capital of Brazil Is Buenos Aires trope, the page details many things the Brazil is (and isn't too). I can also try to answer your questions, if you have any.

The main reason of why I'm posting this here is because I think the world (or at least more people outside my country) should be more aware of how bad things are around here, especially because we're holding a World Cup next year.

Since I'm taking part in the protest today, I might take some time to see this thread again (I either got arrested or wounded heavily). Anyway, post your comments and opinions below, would you kindly?

edited 17th Jun '13 12:10:57 AM by NightChaos

Preemptive warning: This thread will be kept civil or it will be closed. The topic is viable, though I admit to knowing very little about Brazil.

How is the Police response where you are? Can you describe the protest action?

We seem to be in a new Era, the era of protest.

everywhere around the world there seems to be a large demonstration.

<looks at the Civil Rights Movement of the '60s>

I... think we're just having another round of a larger fight, mate. And, it's been going on for centuries, actually. <shrugs>

>Borrows phone

I have to say... You guys really took your time,hun?

...and the Protests in 1968, Euo. Especially the ones in Paris.

Anybody remember 1848? Anyway, the protests in Brazil sound to me very parallel to the ones in Turkey. Any possible connection?

Other than governments sticking it to their people across the world in the name of "cutting costs"? Well, in the Middle East, there's the theocracy problem. And the killing your own people problem.

edited 17th Jun '13 11:37:15 AM by Fighteer

Well, the protests here are more about the corruption of the government and the ridiculous taxes, while [as far as I'm aware, though I'm not sure] Turkey's seem to be more focused on an authoritarian government.

I must say though, this is the largest protest I've seen in this country within my lifetime, and the situation is picking up steam remarkably fast.

Good luck to you. And I mean that without irony. The problem with protests is that they are the most dangerous to the protesters in the places that need them the most.

@De Marquis The last big protest in Sao Paulo thursday was marked by the brutality that the police acted upon the protesters. There are multiple reports affirming that they attacked without provocation to a, until then, peaceful protest. They attacked everyone: protesters, passersby, journalists and photographers (which identified themselves), old and young, with batons, rubber bullets, pepper sprays, and tear gas.

This was just one of many images around the news outlets, but it was one of the most striking.

[1]◊

More than 100 civilians were wounded, many were taken to police stations for *reasons* (like carring vinegar).

People in buildings recording images were attacked with tear gas.

It wasn't pretty to say the least, on the bright side it pissed off so many people in social media that the protest made an unprecedented growth. About 20.000 people went to thursday's protest in Sao Paulo, today's protest in Sao Paulo almost 300.000 confirmed they would go, that just in Sao Paulo (I really doubt everyone will show up, but it is a really high number nevertheless), multiple protests are happening in cities across Brasil.

@Nightchaos I hope you make out of it unharmed man, I wish I could be there.

edited 17th Jun '13 2:48:29 PM by runoeddie

We'll definitely need luck to come out of this in any good way.

Oh yes, they attacked without reason, that sure as Hell they did. I wasn't there, but virtually all [non-police] eyewitness I've talked to painted the same picture: A peaceful protest being mercilessly oppressed with brute strength. I've seen other pictures around the Internet showing people with some really damn nasty wounds. So brutalilty, yes.

As a friend of mine pointed out, that actually only gave the protests more fuel.

And indeed, I've heard news from [of course, smaller] protests spreading all the way to the Northeast [and actually spoke to one organizer]. For those unfamiliar with Brazil's geography, Rio and Sao Paulo are in the center-south of the country. So the protests are spreading out [at a remarkable speed, as well].

One amusing fact is that some SP protesters used the motto "V for Vinegar", in a double reference reference to the unjust incarceration of one journalist due the fact he was carrying Vinegar and V For Vendetta.

I am brazilian, as well, and I almost created this thread yesterday. I just came back from the manifestation in Brasília (it was glorious).

Throughout this entire year, I was wondering how much bullshit the people would have to take from the government to revolt. I'm glad that, in the end, people didn't disappoint.

Still, I'm fairly sure that things will not truly change unless the protests start to get ugly for real. "Peaceful" manifestations can only help to an extent...

edited 17th Jun '13 4:45:54 PM by Teraus

Turning these protests violent will only hurt public perception of it and make people stop coming. We *are* having some effect, and when people start seeing that what they do matters, they will keep doing it. Or at least I hope. Most brazilians feel impotent when it comes to politics and corruption and think things will never change, if things change, no matter how little, it might give them more confidence.

edited 17th Jun '13 5:01:40 PM by runoeddie

I agree with Runoeddie in this case. Violent protests would give the government the precise execuse they needed to lash out as brutally as they see fit and give them a opportunity to suppress free will.

There's also the problem the protesters lack political power or weaponry to conduct such a type of protest without suffering a Curb-Stomp Battle.

Myself, I think what the Protest needs to do is gain the support of the Police [or at least of some policemen], which they're already trying to do. If the police's faith on the government is shaken, then the government would be on a real tight spot.

I'm not saying that I want things to get ugly. It just seems inevitable (that is, if people are truly determined to see things change). I'm just being realistic.

Yes, I feel the same about the police reinforcing the protests. That would be a huge help.

edited 17th Jun '13 5:13:23 PM by Teraus

Teraus, there was a point after you guys occupied the congress house that some policemen started talking to the people in front of the crowd and then there was a mass movement of people leaving. Do you know what those policemen said then? Were they negotiating or threatening you?

edited 17th Jun '13 5:21:51 PM by runoeddie

Ha! Would you look at that!

http://goo.gl/gjxKY

For those who don't speak portuguese: Ten Military-Police Officers sat alongside protestants in a Sao Paulo protest and were cheered by the crowd. Police Officers are already starting to support the movement.

So would you look at that, it seems things are moving up quikcly.

On the subject of armed conflict, I think it may end up on that, but not yet. This protest needs to build up a stronger base and acquire more support first [and, like I said, acquire some military support before attempting to go to go guns blazing, otherwise they'll just be curb-stomped]. For now, it's a war of ink and words, not blood and iron.

For now.

edited 17th Jun '13 5:27:20 PM by Gaon

You have to take that link to a URL shortener; the Forum software doesn't like long URLs, or ones with commas.

...I hate this forum sometimes. Thanks for the help.

@runoeddie: Unfortunately, I had to leave the protest before people started to occupy the congress. I did walk all the way there and shout a lot, at least.

edited 17th Jun '13 5:28:09 PM by Teraus

Looking things happening through the tv is so unreal, it almost feels like a different country.

Like I said, it's the greatest brazilian protest of our age. Something that will be remembered for ages to come.

Also, apparently there are brazilian protests in Canada and L.A as well. Funny, didn't know that.

EDIT: WHAT THE SHIT some protesters are vandalizing historical buildings. What the Hell, protesters?.

edited 17th Jun '13 5:56:55 PM by Gaon

Those are not protesters, those are vandals, they are just taking advantage of the situation to do shit. The real protesters show up to reprimand them all the time, but they just don't care.

Thankfully, those are a really really small minority of the crowd.

edited 17th Jun '13 6:19:41 PM by runoeddie