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DEMOCRACY EDUCATION POLITICS SOCIAL MOVEMENTS

May 30 Brazilian Education Strike: Meet the Organizers

Hardly spontaneous, the May 30 National Education strike was planned through democratic people’s assemblies which have been taking place in towns and cities across Brazil. Meet some of the groups involved in the organization of this historic protest. By Brian Mier Wednesday’s national student and teacher strike has been democratically organized by a coalition of […]

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DEMOCRACY POLITICS UNDERSTANDING BRASIL

Dead man walking: Congress isolates Bolsonaro

The clear displacement of power from the executive may be an attempt to remove the royal power from the President, transforming him into another Queen of England. This would be a less traumatic solution than an impeachment. By Paulo José Cunha* Two weeks ago the possibility of Jair Bolsonaro not finishing his mandate was treated […]

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AUTHORITARIANISM CITIES CRIME FASCISM RIO DE JANEIRO

SOS Rio: Military Police kill 434 in 2019

Bolsonaro ally Governor Wilson Witzel’s Military Police are now killing 5 people a day. Most victims are Afro-Brazilian youth. Many are being killed execution style with gunshots at close range to the back of the head, or by helicopter snipers. On February 8th, in Fallet Favela near downtown Rio de Janeiro, members of the military […]

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AUTHORITARIANISM CITIES CRIME

RJ Governor orders helicopter snipers: Police kill 13

Rio De Janeiro Governor Wilson Witzel orders use of helicopter snipers in poor communities and police break 20 year record for killing civilians. On Sunday, May 5, a video appeared on the internet, showing Rio de Janeiro’s right-wing extremist governor, Wilson Witzel, addressing the camera: “Hello people,” he said, “we are starting today, in Angra […]

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AUTHORITARIANISM CENSORSHIP DEMOCRACY LAVA JATO LAWFARE

Lula: Brazil is governed by lunatics

“I would stay behind bars for 100 years before I traded my dignity for freedom,” says former President in first interview allowed since imprisonment by Brian Mier It is illegal to deny prisoners the freedom of expression to speak with members of the press in Brazil. This, however, did not stop former judge and current […]

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DEMOCRACY POLITICS

Bolsonaro shells out $millions for pension reform votes

R$40 million in pork for every congressman who votes for deep austerity cuts to the pension system. The right wing extremist government of Jair Bolsonaro has opened the pork barrel and is offering R$40 million to each congressman who votes in favor of privatizing the national pension system fund, lowering minimum benefits and raising the […]

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AUTHORITARIANISM DEMOCRACY ELECTION 2018 LAVA JATO LAWFARE

Court Reduces Former President Lula’s Sentence

In a lightning fast ruling which was announced at the last minute without advance notice to former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s defense team, the Brazilian Justice Court ruled on Lula’s 3rd appeal today, reducing his sentence from 12 years and one month to 8 years, 10 months and 20 days. The move was […]

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AUTHORITARIANISM DEMOCRACY LAVA JATO

Temer released after 4 days: why did it happen?

Former President Michel Temer’s 4-day imprisonment was the result of a spat between Congressional President Rodrigo Maia and Justice Minister Sergio Moro. by Brian Mier Michel Temer was released from prison after serving only 4 days behind bars, after material evidence implicated him in hundreds of millions of dollars of personal enrichment and paying millions […]

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ELECTION 2018 IMPERIALISM LAVA JATO LAWFARE UNITED STATES

US DOJ gives Lava Jato $682 million kickback

In a measure that bypasses Brazilian transparency legislation and governmental oversight, the US Department of Justice awards 80% of Petrobras fines to Brazilian partners to set up a privately managed fund to “fight corruption”. Petrobras profits were initially earmarked for Public Education and Health systems. By Brian Mier Over the past 4 years, as most […]

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AUTHORITARIANISM DEMOCRACY UNITED STATES

30 US Lawmakers warn of risks to Brasil’s Democracy

“Lula was barred from running in controversial circumstances that put at risk the right of the people of Brazil to freely choose their president.” On March 5, 30 Democratic US Congressmen sent a letter to Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, expressing their concern about the regressive trends pushing Brazilian democracy and the threats to the […]