Dear Canadian friends, You may or may not have heard of the protests that are going on in Brazil right now. Since last week, the people of Brazil marched on the streets of many Brazilian state capitals in demonstrations against the government. This wave of protests was sparked by a general increase in transit fares that happens around this time every year. In Brazil, private companies run the public transit system, and the government tells them how much they can charge. This last increase, of almost 10%, has caused general outrage and protests followed in many cities. In Sao Paulo, the largest city in Brazil, the demonstrators were met last Thursday with police brutality, as ordered by the Sao Paulo state governor. While the people showed their discontentment with the situation of public transportation by clapping, shouting slogans and holding up signs, the riot police charged at them shooting rubber bullets and tear gas. Innocent bystanders were also hit, as well as reporters, photographers working for local journals, etc. There are many videos posted on the Internet that show many examples of these ruthless actions. International media has already started to report these events, and the Brazilian media cannot cover up the shameless actions of the government and its police any further. In support of our fellow Brazilians that now suffer the consequences of speaking up against the oppression of the Brazilian government, of coming forward and protesting against all the maladies that affect the Brazilian people, which are made even more outrageous now in light of all the expenditures brought up by the upcoming FIFA World Cup and the Olympic Games, we have decided to protest as well. Brazilians everywhere around the world are doing so. Being in Canada, a country known for the freedom it provides for all immigrants that learn to love and call this country their own, we cannot stay quiet while our friends and families suffer in Brazil. Please join us at the Centennial Plaza (100St and 101a Ave) in downtown Edmonton on Tuesday, June 18th, 2013 from 17:30 to 18:30, to help us spread awareness about these matters. Below are the links to some videos and news agencies reports: 13 min video, more complete: youtube/watch?v=W6QVLE8PQJ8 A citizen spreads awareness: youtube/watch?v=AIBYEXLGdSg CNN iReport: ireport.cnn/docs/DOC-988431 CNN report: tinyurl/kd2dwhv Reuters: tinyurl/lcncxxs Targeted by the riot police in their balcony: tinyurl/le5wqdh Thank you, Concerned Brazilian citizens of Edmonton
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:23:24 +0000