Note from BW of Brazil: Well after three years of planning and organizing, the first national March of Black Women is in the history books! The energy generated from the march inspired many and thousands of women will probably remember this day for some time to come. There are so many issues that affect the lives of black Brazilian women, none of which will be solved by a single march, but symbolically the event will serve as another benchmark in the organizing of specifically black women’s organizations. The number of participants in the march is estimated to be somewhere in the neighborhood of 4-10 thousand, a number that tells us there is a solid foundation of black women activists throughout the country. May they return to their respective cities and use this historic gathering as a building block for the construction of even more unity and greater achievements in the future!
March of black women closes down the Monumental Axis lanes in the nation’s capital
March of black women closes down the Monumental Axis lanes. Military Police estimate presence of 4,000 people, and organizers expect 20,000.
By Gabriel Luiz
Against racism and violence that affects black women, a group closed down six lanes of the Eixo Monumental on Wednesday morning (18) in a march toward the Congresso Nacional (National Congress). The concentration started at 8:30 am in front of the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium.
“I’m very excited. It is the first time that a march of this kind has happened, a thing that should exist for a long time” – Lúcia Santos, acarajé vendor
Because of the prohibition, Military Police recommendation was that drivers re-direct themselves behind the Estádio Nacional Mané Garrincha (Mané Garrincha National Stadium) and Parque da Cidade. The corporation is estimating that 4,000 people participated in the event. The number, according to the organization, could reach 20,000 throughout the march.
The march was led by women in traditional clothing of Bahia. According to one of the event organizers, Vanda Menezes, the goal is to show respect for ancestry. The Minister of Citizenship, Nilma Lino, said the movement is important because it shows the “affirmation of the black women” because it defends the “change the landscape of power and empowerment” of the class.
Present in the act, Deputy Maria do Rosário (PT-RS) said that the protest is a “novelty” because it has the power to “change public policy for the group, which is the poorest who suffer most from violence.”
The acarajé vendor Lúcia Santos said she was “excited” during the protest. “I’m very excited. It is the first time that a march of this kind happens, one thing that should exist for a long time,” said the woman, born in Salvador, Bahia.
The last IBGE census shows that black women represent 25.5% of the population. According to the Mapa da Violência (Map of Violence) report released earlier this month, the homicide cases involving black women grew by 54.2% between 2003 and 2013, from 1,864 to 2,875. In the same period, the number of occurrences involving white women fell 9.8% (from 1,747 to 1,576).
The march also brought together men. The student Daniel Manhães is part of a group of 40 people who arrived on Wednesday in Brasília coming from Rio de Janeiro. “Women have their rights and we have to support them,” he said.
It is also the opinion of the student Rhuan Nunes. “Many women suffer prejudice. And I would not want my mother or my sisters to go through this.”
The professor Sandra Santana took advantage of the march to see the Torre de TV. “It’s an opportunity to visit the city because usually I only come to Brasília going through,” said the woman, interested in a shirt on sale in the tower kiosks.
Black women are the target of explosions and gunfire on the Esplanada dos Ministérios
Courtesy of Correio Braziliense with info from R7
About 10,000 people participated in the act, which included a walk between the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium and the Museu da República, next to the Catedral de Brasília (Cathedral of Brasília)
The noise of bombs and gunfire ended the March of Black Women early Wednesday afternoon at the Esplanada dos Ministérios. About 10,000 people participated in the act, which included a walk between the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium and the Museu da República (Museum of the Republic), next to the Cathedral of Brasília.
Civil police on the day in which he was arrested for illegal possession of weapon. He is suspected of having taken four shots up on the Esplanada dos Ministérios
The Communication Division (Divicom) of the Civil Police reported that a discharged military police officer is suspected of having taken four shots into the air. The Military Police, however, said it was a Civil Police officer. He was also arrested during student demonstrations on November 13th, on the Esplanada dos Ministérios for being armed.
The suspect participated in the camp in favor of the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff. Preliminary information reveals that the man was referred to the 5th precinct Police Station (Central Area).
The officer was also arrested on November 13, during student demonstration in front of the Esplanade of Ministries
A civil servant, who declined to be named, said that protesters from a camp in favor of military intervention launched fireworks at the Esplanada, which caused panic among the demonstrators.
Correio (news) reporters were on location when Military Police formed a cord in front of the National Congress and the confusion began on the lawn. People started running and women called for calm.
According to MP, the man claims he was coerced by some demonstrators who were near the Congresso Nacional. He said some people threw firecrackers at him and took the shots to defend himself.
Minutes later, another alleged Civil Police officer, this one of the Federal District, took more shots and was also arrested. However, the Civil Police of the Federal District reported that there is no record of such occurrences.
The deputada (congresswoman) Érika Kokay (PT-DF), a member of the Human Rights Commission, was present during the act. In a social network, she recounts the moments of panic at the Esplanada dos Ministérios and exhibited photos of women taking cover on the ground. There is other photos of the suspect being arrested and one of the bullets found in the area.
March
It is the first time that the national march took place in the Federal District. The goal is to gather the maximum of black women’s organizations, and other entities of the Movimento Negro (black movement) and mobilize these people in honor of ancestors and in defense of the full citizenship of black Brazilian women. On November 20th, the National Day of Black Consciousness is celebrated.
Source: G1, Correio Braziliense, R7
Wow! This is pretty spectacular! It’s not surprising that some crazy white, male, little dick terrorist is trying to murder Black people as they congregate. Other than that alien douchbag, I really love this monument to the (continued) awakening of Black conciousness in Brazil, and all those sistas look fly as FUCK! I hope this is only the beginning!
Never thought I’d live to see this day. Bravo to the black women of Brazil!