Stories about Portuguese from March, 2012
Brazil: “Kilombos”, Stories of Slaves Bridging Three Continents
In this article, we make a secular journey across three continents with 'Kilombos', a documentary released in March in Portugal, which "transports us through the oral history of the African roots of the Quilombo communities, showing the intersection of these roots with contemporary cultural practices".
Brazil: Irregularities Denounced in the Council of Representatives of Emigrants
Founded at the end of 2012, the Conselho de Representantes de Brasileiros no Exterior [Council of Representatives of Brazilians Abroad], or the CRBE, linked to the Ministry of External Affairs, has provoked the indignation of expatriate Brazilians owing to allegations of irregularities in the election process for its representatives.
Guinea-Bissau: Constitutional Limits on the Presidential Elections
Claims of widespread fraud during the presidential elections in Guinea Bissau, on 18 March, allows for the possibility that the April ballot will take place with a single candidate – Carlos Gomes Jr. His concurrent Kumba Ialá, refuses to participate in the second round, and the Constitution doesn't allow the replacement of candidates.
Brazil: Thoughts on Access to Science on Document Freedom Day
In the Document Freedom Day, March 28, Brazilian blogger and professor Ladislau Dowbor writes [pt] about open access to science, and questions the price of information. He also shares his views on the role of professors in the face of intelectual property, and an article about an online boycott by...
Cape Verde: Calling Out Creative Writers
Cape Verdean blogger and journalist Odair Varela has launched a creative writing competition [pt] that will last for one month. The first of four weekly challenges consists of writing about how the country will be in the year 2090 [pt]. The essays should be submitted until March 27, 2012.
Portugal: Subversive Priest's “Homily” to General Strike on YouTube
Mário Pais de Oliveira, priest and writer, has "converted" to social networks to preach his subversive thoughts on the world. Today's general strike in Portugal brings back memories of the video Father Mário published in the aftermath of the last general strike, which took place at the end of 2011.
Portugal: Picket to the Prime Minister on the Day of General Strike
Citizens from Porto are organizing a flash picket [pt] via Facebook to “welcome” the Prime Minister of Portugal, Pedro Passos Coelho, on the day of the anti-austerity general strike, March 22. The Prime Minister will be on an official visit to the University of Porto [pt], that celebrates its 101st...
Brazil: Cyclist's Death in São Paulo Sparks Protests and Debate
On the morning of March 2, 33-year-old Juliana Dias was killed by a bus while riding her bicycle on her way to work along São Paulo's main street, Avenida Paulista. Her story shocked cycling rights activists, sparked spontaneous protests across the city and opened a national debate.
Brazil: Should Pinheirinho Eviction go to the International Criminal Court?
Brazilian blogger and Amnesty International fellow Carlos Alberto Ungarzo argues [pt] about the need to take the case of the violent eviction of Pinheirinho, which took place on January 22 in the state of São Paulo, to the International Criminal Court.
Brazil: Solidarity March for Syrian Revolution
Syrian revolution support reached Sao Paulo, Brazil, on March 18. Hundreds of activists in Sao Paulo rallied to show their solidarity with the Syrian struggle on its first anniversary.
Brazil: Demonstration Demands President Veto on Forestry Code
On March 7, Brazilian activists organized an act (#vetadilma) urging President Dilma to veto changes on the new Forestry Code. Biologist Pablo Pessoa published photos and videos of the act, and wrote [pt] about his participation, claiming it was difficult to ensure “preservation or conservation of ecological processes without the recognition by...
Portugal: Visualising Economic and Social Indicators on the Crisis
Conhecer a Crise (Meet the Crisis) [pt] is the name of a recently launched website with info-graphics and visualisations on the main economic and social indicators that describe the current crisis in Portugal. The website has a customisable section [pt] – “The crisis as I see it” – where users...
Brazil: Ministry Silences Report on Human Rights in Belo Monte
Brazilian journalist Leonardo Sakamoto comments [pt] on a news [pt] about a report he wrote for the government that denounces human rights abuses [pt] in the region affected by the Belo Monte Dam. The news points that almost one year after the visit, the report hasn't been formally discussed by...
Brazil: Citizens Say No to Aquarium in Fortaleza
Citizens of Fortaleza are urging the governor of the Brazilian state of Ceará, Cid Gomes, to halt an Aquarium project which has had no public bidding. Critics argue it will rise land prices and force families to leave. Mobilization took to the streets on carnival, spread on Twitter with #AcquarioNao...
Brazil: Bloggers Sued for Denouncing Corruption in Alagoas
Mário Júnior and Alexandre Fleming, on Blog do Fleming, denounced [pt] in July 2011 that the Secretary of Budget and Planning and Economic Development, Energy and Logistics, Luiz Otavio Gomes Silva, from the Brazilian state of Alagoas, was benefiting “individual customers with government incentives.” Now, in 2012, bloggers were sued...
Angola: Police Confiscates Computers From the Independent Weekly Folha 8
On March 12, a police raid at the Angolan independent weekly Folha 8 resulted in about 20 computers being confiscated [pt]. Editor William Tonet points a connection with the investigation on the publication of an Internet photo montage of the president and politicians from 2011. The Committee to Protect Journalists...
Mozambique: The People's Wall of Maputo
At the same time that we increasingly see the advance of new technologies which facilitate communication and information, in Maputo the People's Wall has emerged; a large wall in a public place where the population can write letters and direct reflections to the governing leaders.
Brazil: Mihoko Satou, a Bridge-Blogger After the Japan Earthquake
A year after the earthquake in Japan, we publish an interview with Mihoko Satou, a Japanese blogger who was born and raised in Brazil. Mihoko tirelessly posted translations on her blog as the events unfolded around her.
Brazil: What Happens If There's Another Oil Crisis?
The rise in the price of oil caused by the impasse between the Western powers and Iran has been a cause for concern not just for the European and North American markets, but also for less vulnerable economies such as the Brazilian economy. On the other hand, opportunities are arising for a new chapter in Brazil's economic history.
Angola: Violence Against Protest for Fair Elections
With the slogan: “Against Fraud in the Next Elections", the city of Luanda was again the stage for a protest on the morning of March 10. And again, according to some reports, the State made its strong arm felt, repressing violently a right of all citizens.
Angola: Activists Beaten Just Days Before Protest
Two activists tell on video how they were captured by cars without license and beaten up on a remote area of the capital Luanda. Blogger Gil Gonçalves had reported [pt] on the missing men, both involved in a protest of March 10 against the nomination of Suzana Inglês to head...
About our Portuguese coverage
