From: "Curtis Price" <cansv-AT-igc.apc.org>
Date:          Mon, 28 Jul 1997 09:57:50 +0000
Subject: AUT: (Fwd) Landless, homeless, jobless protest across Brazil


------- Forwarded Message Follows -------
Date:          Sat, 26 Jul 1997 06:16:26 -0700
From:          NewsHound <NewsHound-AT-hound.com>
Reply-to:      NewsHound-AT-hound.com
Subject:       Landless, homeless, jobless protest across Brazil



NewsHound article from "STRIKES" hound, score "75."



Landless, homeless, jobless protest across BrazilBY STAN LEHMAN
Associated Press Writer


SAO PAULO, Brazil (AP) -- Jobless and landless Brazilians converged by the
thousands on state capitals across the country to protest economic policies
that they say punish the poor.

The target of their ire, President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, called
Friday's protests ``irresponsible.''

The demonstrators, who were joined by union leaders, civil servants and
politicians, charged that Cardoso's anti-inflation measures have led to a
dramatic rise in unemployment.

``All the government cares about is saving banks and controlling
inflation,'' said Sao Paulo marcher Raul Figueiredo, unemployed since the
boiler factory he worked at went bankrupt. ``That's fine, but what about
us? What about the people?''

Since taking office in 1995, Cardoso's policies have cut inflation from 50
percent a month to less than 1 percent. But the unions charge the austerity
effort has forced banks and other businesses to close, while driving up the
jobless rate.

The government claims unemployment is about 5 percent. Unions say the
figure is nearly three times higher.

Friday's marchers carried the red flags of the Landless Rural >>Workers<<
Movement alongside union flags and the red-and-white star of the left-wing
>>Workers<< Party.

Some demonstrators trekked with their families for days to attend the
demonstrations, which were also aimed at protesting the government's land
reform efforts. In some areas, police >>striking<< for higher wages joined
the marches.

Cardoso, visiting western Brazil to inaugurate construction of a $1.8
billion gas pipeline with Bolivia, criticized the protesters.

``If the objective is simply disorder, this can hurt democracy,'' he said.

Although there were no official estimates on the numbers participating
nationwide, the largest protest drew about 15,000 to the business district
of Sao Paulo, Brazil's business hub. The rally jammed traffic for hours.

In Espirito Santo state, 2,000 protesters marched through the capital
Vitoria to applause and a shower of confetti from office buildings.

Turnout was low in Pernambuco, Bahia and Parana, where only a few hundred
marchers gathered.

The Landless Rural >>Workers<< Movement has been the most vocal and best
organized in demanding change. Some 4 million families are awaiting land in
Brazil, where one-fifth of the people own nearly 90 percent of the land.

Cardoso has pledged to settle 280,000 families by the time his term ends in
1998, but movement members say that is not enough.

The red flags of the movement, known as MST, waved over the rally in Sao
Paulo, alongside union flags and the >>Workers<< Party banner.

The >>Workers<< Party is the government's main opposition, and the protest
had the feel of a campaign rally.

In the northeastern state of Alagoas, marchers were joined by thousands of
civil servants -- including police -- who are on >>strike<< to try to
collect six months of unpaid back wages.

The protests were peaceful, and many police stationed to keep order did not
carry guns.

Beyond their shared dissatisfaction, landless farmworkers and urban
unemployed have little in common. Organizers spoke in generalities to find
a common ground.



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