Brazil: Protesters to “occupy” Brasília June 27

Event

Leaders of the CTB trade union have called on supporters to “occupy” the capital city of Brasília on Tuesday, June 27. The protest is intended to coincide with a vote on controversial labor reform legislation taking place in the Senate. As will all protests in Brazil, violence - notably clashes between demonstrators and police - is possible, along with localized traffic disruptions in the event of a large turn out or roadblocks. 

Context

Brazil has seen a series of protests in response to reforms proposed by the conservative government of President Temer, who took over after the impeachment of former leftist President Dilma Rousseff. According to some estimates, as many as 150,000 people took part in a similar demonstration carried out in the capital on May 24. Marchers demanded the respect of workers’ rights, the resignation of embattled President Michel Temer, and early elections. During the demonstration, protesters clashed with security forces and broke into several ministry buildings, including the Ministry of Agriculture building which was set on fire. Authorities ordered the deployment of federal troops to contain the situation.

Advice

Individuals in Brazil are advised to avoid all demonstrations due to the risk of violence, to monitor developments to the situation, and to anticipate transportation disruptions surrounded protest sites.