Hundreds March in Brazil: “We Are All In The Mud. Solidarity With Mariana”

from AFP

translated by Earth First! Journal

Hundreds of Brazilians marched on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo denouncing a mayor compromise by world leaders against climate change and demanding responsibility for the mining landslide which occurred in the southeast of the country–the largest environmental catastrophe in the history of this South American giant.

Some 400 people participated in a colorful protest on Ipanema beach in Rio on the eve of the Paris climate conference (COP21) at which negotiators from 195 countries will be present.

People protested against deforestation, the misuse of water resources, climate change, and there was even someone dressed as a polar bear to remind of species in danger of extinction.

But one of the strongest claims was against those responsible for the mining waste and landslide which buried a southeastern town at the beginning of [November], contaminated Rio Doce (Sweet River) and has reached the Atlantic Ocean.

The wave of toxic mud–according to the UN but denied by the company–occurred after a dike burst which contained mining residue from iron belonging to Brazilian Samarco, property of Vale and BHP Billiton.

“We represent Rio Doce which has been destroyed by Vale mining in the Mariana tragedy, killing 23 people in Minas Gerais [southeast Brazil]. The environmental damages are immeasurable, but what is certain is that it will affect the people there, and even here, where we are close,” said the protester named Glaiser Ferreria.

Under strong rain, around 300 people decided to march with umbrellas and ponchos through downtown Sao Paulo to the rhythm of drums, asking for respect to the environment, as well as measures against climate change and runaway ozone gasses.

With mud painted on their faces and their hair sopping wet, Silvia Berlinek did not stop waving her flier that read, “We are all in the mud–Solidarity with Mariana.”

“I am here because of the disaster that took place at Mariana, as well as the environmental tragedies that are happening, and in defense of nature. Brazil has one of the greatest biodiversity in the world, and we are throwing it in the trash,” this technical dentist of 53 years of age told the AFP.