Brazil’s Massive Movement of Almost a Million

On March 15, 2015 almost a million Brazilian people stepped out into their cities dressed in green and yellow to represent the colors of their flag. They were singing the Brazilian national anthem and from the looks of it, it seemed like there was a festival going on. But this was no festival. Instead it was a demonstration to protest against Brazil’s President, Dilma Rousseff. Many were chanting, “Dilma, out!”

There is a corruption scandal, a dwindling economy and the Brazilian people are angry and want to be heard. A few days before the protests Brazil’s Supreme Court allowed the investigation of 50 politicians who were supposedly involved in bribery and kickbacks at a state controlled oil company. The country is also dealing with the rise of unemployment, the rise of inflation and according to NBC News, “Brazil’s currency, the real, has lost over 22 percent of its value against the dollar this year.”

The government has increased taxes, even though the country is still on the verge of a recession. The protests throughout Brazil were very peaceful. Nothing like the protests in 2013 when things turned dark and grew violent.

It’s very similar to the Occupy movement of 2008. The phrase, “We are the 99 percent,” coined during the occupy movements has the same weight as the “Dilm, out” chants. The Occupy movement was also frustrated with the economic failures and corruption of America. Again, similarly with the Brazil protests the Occupy movement wanted those responsible for these crimes to pay the consequences.

The Brazilian people are angry with Rousseff, because of all that has been happening during the presidency and that she hasn’t done much to change anything. With so many people rallying, the chances this getting violent are high, but people remain calm for now. These protests can be a different type of occupy but Brazil has made this their own movement.

This demonstration shows that when people want change, they will come together to achieve it. Will Rousseff be impeached like the people want? Chances are no, but maybe the 50 politicians under investigation will face the consequences for the corruption.

Photo: NELSON ANTOINE / AP