Young Brazilians Share Their Fears About a Bolsonaro Presidency
November 1, 2018A version of this article originally appeared on VICE Brazil.
On Tuesday, October 30, thousands of young people took to the streets of São Paulo, Brazil to protest the far-right ideas of Jair Bolsonaro, the authoritarian candidate who won the country’s presidential elections on Sunday. According to the organizers of the event, over 20,000 people were in attendance. Chanting “Ele Não” (“Not Him”) and carrying signs protesting fascism, hate speech, homophobia, and racism, young people called for change as they marched through the city’s main avenues. Prominent political leaders attended the demonstration as well, giving speeches that rallied the crowd.
After the speeches, I asked young Brazilians what they expect from the next four years now that the resistance movement is officially underway.
Rodrigo, 25
I'm here at this demonstration to advocate for people who are being attacked and being put in a corner. May they occupy their own spaces, so we can have a diverse society. I hope all minorities―black people, LGBTQ individuals, northeasterners, everyone―whose rights are being attacked right now can also take to the street and show that we'll resist with a culture of peace. Not a single life will be taken away. Not a single right will be taken away! Not a single life will be taken away!
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