Stories about Brazil from November, 2011
Brazil: Census “Reveals” Majority of Population is Black or Mixed Race
For the first time in Brazilian history, the national census has shown that the majority of the population is black or mixed race. Released on the eve of Black Awareness Day, the figures of 2010's Census give rise to concerns about the situation of the Brazil's black population.
Video: Plural+ 2011 Awards Young Filmmakers
Youth from around the globe were awarded in New York for their thought-provoking short films showing their proposals for making society more peaceful and multicultural by addressing the topics of diversity, migration and social inclusion.
Brazil: Maximum Fine After Silence on Chevron's Oil Spill
On 7 November, an oil platform operated by Chevron-Texaco and located 350km off coast from Rio de Janeiro, began spilling crude oil. Two weeks after, the spill is believed to be under control and Chevron has been fined the maximum amount allowed by Brazilian environmental authorities. But not all is clear concerning the intricacies and coverage of the environmental disaster.
Brazil: Students’ Eviction Strengthens Movement Against Militarization of University
In the morning of November 8, the Brazilian Military Police evicted the University of Sao Paulo's Dean building, which had been occupied by around 70 students in the end of October.
Brazil: Real State Speculation Threatens Sacred Ground
Sagrada Terra Especulada (Sacred Speculated Ground), a Brazilian collective that advocates for indigenous land rights, is promoting a documentary [pt] and a petition [pt] in defense of the Pajé Sanctuary, close to Brasilia´s Pilot Plan. Real estate speculation [pt] threatens this area of savannah with the construction of a so-called...
Brazil: Toxic Documentary on the Amazon
Brazilian journalist Felipe Milanez (@felipedjeguaka) published [pt, en] a documentary about the Amazon in the series Toxic – “the various ways in which we detonate our planet” – of the Vice website. The documentary features the environmental activist Zé Claudio Ribeiro da Silva who was killed in May 2011.
Brazil: Online Campaign to Protect Xingu Against Belo Monte
A new movement called Gota D'Água (Drop of Water) [pt] has launched an online campaign to discuss Brazil's energy planning through the analysis of the Belo Monte dam project. The campaign includes a video featuring public figures and a petition, that has already gathered 1923 signatures, to be handed over...
Brazil: Student Assaulted While Protesting in Brasília
Rosangela Basso, from the blog Maria da Penha Neles, posted a series of pictures and a video of a sociology student from the University of Brasília (UnB) being assaulted by security guards at the Federal Senate while protesting against the new Forestry Code.
Brazil: Suspicious Fires in Slums of São Paulo
Brazilian teacher and urban planner Raquel Rolnik writes [pt] about a wave of suspicious fires in slums of the city of São Paulo. Allegedly, a few days after the last fire, a construction company had already turned the aftermath into a building site for new developments.
Brazil: Journalist Shot Dead During Police Action
Journalist Cristina Rodrigues asks [pt] “who's to blame?” after the tragic death of a Brazilian journalist from the TV Bandeirantes, who was shot by drug dealers during a police action in a slum in Rio de Janeiro on November 7. Journalist Antônio Mello blames [pt] the bullying of the TV...
Brazil: Federal Senate Approves New Forestry Code
Blogger Conceição Oliveira, on her blog Maria Frô, informs [pt] that the new Brazilian Forestry Code was approved by the Federal Senate on November 8, and is now up for President Dilma to either approve it or veto it.
Gabon: Bongo Indulges With Football Match Against Brazil
The Brazilian national football team came to Libreville, Gabon for a friendlly football match against the Gabonese national team on November 10. The social challenges the team witnessed are in stark contrast with the spending habits of the current Gabonese President Ali Bongo.
Brazil: Is State-Funded Evangelical ‘Gospel Park’ Unconstitutional?
The announcement of the construction of the first ever Brazilian 'Gospel Park' in the state of Acre, caused controversy this October. Public funds will be used for the park that would only benefit members of the Pentecostal evangelical religion, something forbidden by the Federal Constitution.
Brazil: #OccupyBeloMonte Evicted from Dam Construction Site
On October 27, indigenous groups from the Xingu river area in Brazil occupied the construction site of the controversial Belo Monte dam. #OccupyBeloMonte, however, only lasted until the following day. Raphael Tsavkko Garcia reports.
About our Brazil coverage
Fernanda Canofre is the Brazil editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.
