RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A motorcade organized by political parties, social movements and labor unions protested on the Ministries Esplanade against the event starting on June 13.
Opposition parties in the Federal District, labor unions and social movements on Sunday, June 6, staged a motorcade against the hosting of the Copa América in Brazil. They gathered at Buriti Square, near the district government’s seat, and left at 10:30 AM toward the Ministries Esplanade.
The motorcade gathered dozens of cars, with protesters shouting slogans such as “No to Copa, yes to vaccine” and “Bolsonaro Out.” They drove along the Esplanade with banners, posters and the support of a sound truck.
The organizers argue that, although the matches will be held in stadiums without fans, the coming of delegations from different countries represents a risk to public health. However, the federal government continues to support the hosting of the championship in Brazil. The Copa America will officially kick off on June 13.
On Saturday, CONMEBOL held a meeting by videoconference with President Jair Bolsonaro attending. Again, he expressed support for holding the event in Brazil. However, there are indications that the Brazilian team may refuse to take part. Team leaders agreed to comment after this Tuesday’s game, for the World Cup qualifying round, against Paraguay, in Asunción,
The hosting of the Copa America has become a political issue in Brazil at a time when death rates from the novel coronavirus remain high. Data from the media outlet consortium show that from Friday to Saturday, 1,661 people died as a result of Covid-19. The total number of deaths has reached 472,629.
By Saturday, only 10.8% of the population (22,896,108 people) had been administered both vaccine doses, which ensure full immunization.
Source: Exame