Brazilian women lead protests against Jair Bolsonaro

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Women from several popular movements, trade unions, feminist organizations and political parties in Brazil on Saturday (4) held massive demonstrations in rejection of Jair Bolsonaro’s policies, which have exacerbated social inequality in the country.

Under the slogan “Bolsonaro Never Again,” thousands of demonstrators also claimed that Bolsonaro’s negligence has resulted in over 615,000 deaths from Covid-19, a disease the President has downplayed since its emergence in 2020.

Throughout the day, feminists reiterated that since before the 2018 elections, they alerted about the extremist positions of the far-right leader, “before he became President we pointed out how dangerous Bolsonaro was,” said activist Leila Gabriel.

Among the organizations that called for the demonstration were the Brazilian Women’s Articulation (AMB), the World March of Women (WMW), the Unified Black Movement (MNO), the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) and the Union of Blacks for Equality (Unegro).

Organizations such as the Workers’ Party (PT), the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), the Communist Party of Brazil (PCdoB), the Unitary Workers’ Union (CUT) and the Central Workers’ Union of Brazil (CTB) also took part in the mobilization.

In Brasilia, the call was announced for 3 PM at Marielle Franco Square, in the South Commercial Sector, near the Galeria subway station. “It is important for us to oust Bolsonaro, even if it is one day before the end of his term,” said Feminist Organization Sempreviva and WMW member Sonia Coelho.

She said it is impossible to coexist with a government that destroys lives and rights every day.

Feminist Rise Against Feminicide representative Rita Andrade pointed out that Bolsonaro’s government led to the dismantling of public policies that “had been making important social advances” for Brazilians, but with a particular impact on women.

“We see that black women, women from the periphery, indigenous women are even more affected in this scenario. So, the rally (…) is one more way for us to say together that this government must be stopped, that it cannot possibly continue,” she added.

In addition, she denounced that the current chief executive has murdered women, their children and the black population, and stated that it does not take care of the Brazilian people.