Stories about Brazil from June, 2011
Brazil: 40 Cities Make the Freedom March
Forty Brazilian cities had their streets taken over by the Freedom March on Saturday 18 June. A multitude of groups, collectives, movements, entities and outraged people rallied around the country dreaming and fighting for freedom.
Brazil: Despite Protests, Government Insists on Belo Monte Dam
There are recent developments in the controversy regarding Belo Monte Hydroelectric Plant and its dams, the world's third largest project in terms of energy capacity, which is to be built in heart of the Amazon. On June 1, Belo Monte's license for construction was approved. On the web and on the street, citizens call "Stop Belo Monte".
Brazil: “SlutWalk” Throughout the Country in Images
Holding banners, posters and mottos, "sluts" from cities throughout Brazil rocked the streets and made the society think about gender opression. The movement is inspired by the SlutWalk in Canada last April, to stop exploitation of the female body and the culpability of women for being sexually assaulted.
Brazil: Denouncement on Belo Monte to OAS
The journalist Leonardo Sakamoto analyzes the petition [pt] sent to the Human Rights comission of the Organization of American States (OAS) concerning the Belo Monte dam, in Brazil. The country may be judged for illegalities in the licensing process that “disrespected the right of consultation and access to information and...
Brazil: The Chilling Beauty of the Green Desert
Where jungle was once seen, green woodland can now be seen. Bloggers comment on the beauty, environmental impact and the social consequences which are being brought to the country by the eucalyptus monocultures - the so-called green deserts.
Brazil: Rio Wears Red in Support of Firefighters
Since mid-April, a movement started by a group of military firefighters from Rio de Janeiro demanding for better working conditions had been gaining increasing support. With the occupation of the headquarters by thousands of demonstrators last week, which lead to a shock reaction by police forces, Rio wore red in solidarity with the firefighters.
Brazil: Jokes About Rape and the Limit of Humor
Rafinha Bastos, a famous Brazilian stand-up comedian, has raised significant controversy by declaring in a show that women who claim they have been raped are often ugly and should be thankful. The blogosphere has been discussing the limits of humor and political incorrectness.
Brazil: Firefighters from Rio on Strike for Wages
On June 3, a clash between the Brazilian Special Police Operations Battalion (BOPE) and firefighters from Rio de Janeiro who were demonstrating against the lowest wages for their class in the country – R$ 950 (approximately $600 USD) – took hundreds to the prison. On Youtube, several videos by guardavidarj...
Brazil: Transport Price Increase Leads to Protest
Brazilian students have demonstrated [pt] against the increase on the price of public bus tickets and have blocked the streets in the centre of the city of Vitoria. Outraged with police repression on protesters, many college students have joined the movement, which has spread through the city and also on...
Brazil: After All There is a Place for Belo Monte Dam
Despite the disastrous social and environmental impact in the Amazon, the brazilian government has allowed for the construction of Belo Monte dam. Netizens are raising awareness by sharing a photo of the indigenous leader Raoni, but the association of the image with the recent news is false, as Candido Cunha...
About our Brazil coverage
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
