Brazilian expats echo anti-government protests abroad
Brazilians living in various countries echoed the protests against corruption and President Dilma Rousseff's administration on Sunday (Mar. 15). The demonstrations were mostly organized on social media.
About 60 people braved the cold and rain to join the demonstration in front of Brazil's Embassy in central London. They were dressed in green and yellow and held Portuguese and English-language banners and posters calling for an end to corruption. At several points in the event, they shouted rallying cries against the government.
In Lisbon, about 50 protesters gathered in Luís de Camões Square wearing green and yellow clothing and carrying Brazilian flags and even pans to create noise.
In the United States, where the population of Brazilian residents is estimated at 1.2 million, there were demonstrations in several cities. In New York, a group rallied in Union Square in the morning, chanted the Brazilian national anthem, and called for Rousseff's impeachment. There were also protests in Miami, where people posted pictures of posters and banners and mobilized on social media. Brazilians living in Boston and Orlando used social media to call people to join Sunday's protest.
In Canada, at least 30 people gathered outside the Brazilian Consulate building in Montreal, the country's second largest city. The demonstration was organized as a Facebook event with 446 people invited, but the snowy weather – below minus 3ºC – is likely to have discouraged part of the few Brazilians who confirmed their attendance online.
Only gradually did the protesters turn up with Brazil flags, posters and whistles. The posters were written in French, contrasting figures on inflation, government debt, and Petrobras share prices before and after the current Brazilian government, and demanding Rousseff's impeachment.
Letícia Furtado, who organized the event, explained the event was designed to show sympathy for Brazilians who also took to the streets in Brazil on Sunday to voice their dissatisfaction.
“I created this event to express support for Brazil, and to send the message to all people on the streets that Brazil is mobilized today,” said the physical education teacher, who moved to Canada 20 years ago.
In Toronto, Canada's largest city, and home to almost 7,000 Brazilians, there also were protests. The protesters gathered at Queen's Park from 1pm (2pm in Brazil), dressed in green and yellow with posters calling for impeachment.
Translated by Mayra Borges
Fonte: Brazilian expats echo anti-government protests abroad
