Protests against coup government in Brazil

Women take to the streets in Brazil against coup

Tele-SUR, via Facebook

Women are rising up against the sexist coup government in Brazil! Tens of thousands of, mostly, women took to the streets in at least 5 major cities across Brazil to express outrage over the coup government of Michel Temer that announced very sexist and neoliberal plans after ousting the left-wing female President Dilma Rousseff.

Led by women student groups, feminist organizations and trade unions, people of all age groups and ethnicities in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, San Salvador, Belo Horizonte, and Porto Alegre blocked traffic and shouted slogans including “Temer coup-monger” and “Out with Temer” against the newly-installed conservative leader.

In the very first hours after being installed, the new coup government swore in 22 cabinet minister, all of them white and male, the first time since the 1970s that no women have been in the cabinet. Rousseff had 15 female minister during her government.

Also the Ministry of Culture and the Ministry of Women, Racial Equality and Human Rights were shut down, in a country that is dealing with severe problems of sexism, racism and human rights violations.

Protester Gabriella: "This is the answer to the government, who tries to tear up our constitution and propose such a giant step backwards for women, minorities and social programs. And it's only the beginning. We say: no step back!"

Protester Raissa: "The most chauvinistic government since the military dictatorship will feel the power of women. We will not shut up. We will not bow down. If they thought they buried us, they were wrong. We are seeds that will be giving fruit for the entire country. Today we occupy the streets, tomorrow we take back the government."

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