Brazil leader to break silence about protests

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

By MARCO SIBAJA, JENNY BARCHFIELD and BRADLEY BROOKS

BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) - More than a week of massive, violent protests across Brazil invited only stoic silence Friday from President Dilma Rousseff, even after she had called an emergency meeting with a top Cabinet member in response to the growing unrest.

Only on Friday night did the government confirm that Rousseff would address the nation a few hours later, but through a prerecorded message. She was expected to meet in the evening with top bishops from the Roman Catholic Church about the protests' effects on a papal visit still scheduled for next month in Rio and Sao Paulo state.

Trying to decipher the president's reaction to the unrest has become a national guessing game, especially after some 1 million anti-government demonstrators took to the streets the night before across the country to denounce everything from poor public services to the billions of dollars spent preparing for next year's World Cup soccer tournament and the 2016 Olympics in Brazil.

The protests continued Friday, as about 1,000 people marched in western Rio de Janeiro city, with some looting stores and invading an enormous $250 million arts center that remains empty after several years of construction. Police tried to disperse the crowd with tear gas as they were pelted with rocks. Police said some in the crowd were armed and firing at officers.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20130621/DA72DGJ01.html

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Police guard the building of Brazil's National Congress during a protest in Brasilia, Brazil, Thursday, June 20, 2013. President Dilma Rousseff called an emergency meeting of her top Cabinet members for Friday morning, more than a week after the protests began. Rousseff, who has a standoffish governing style, has been almost entirely absent from the public eye, making only one statement earlier in the week that peaceful protests are part of the democratic process. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

[DRoseDARs]

1. Don't pull an Ergodan, don't pull and Ergodan, don't pull an Ergodan... n/t

[Judi Lynn]

3. Dilma Rousseff is very much loved by the Brazilian people. n/t

[Judi Lynn]

2. From DU post Tuesday: Rousseff salutes Brazil protests, cities cut bus fares

Rousseff salutes Brazil protests, cities cut bus fares

(Reuters) - President Dilma Rousseff on Tuesday sought to defuse a massive protest movement sweeping Brazil, acknowledging the need for better public services and more responsive governance as demonstrations continued in some cities around the country.

Speaking the morning after more than 200,000 Brazilians marched in over a half-dozen cities, Rousseff said her government remains committed to social change and is listening attentively to the many grievances expressed at the demonstrations.

"Brazil woke up stronger today," Rousseff said in a televised speech in Brasilia. "The size of yesterday's demonstrations shows the energy of our democracy, the strength of the voice of the streets and the civility of our population."

Monday's demonstrations were the latest in a flurry of protests over the past two weeks that have fed on widespread frustration with poor public services, police violence and government corruption.

Read more:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/18/us-brazil-protests-rousseff-idUSBRE95H10B20130618

Posted by DU'er ocpagu:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/110819379

[DRoseDARs]

4. Refreshing to hear, thank you. n/t