A Popular Parade, this Tuesday (31), celebrated the inauguration of the three state deputies who will compose the 1st Black Bench of the Legislative Assembly of RS (ALRS): Bruna Rodrigues (PCdoB), Laura Sito (PT) and Matheus Gomes ( PSOL). The act preceded the formal session in which the 55 male and female deputies elected and re-elected took their seats.
The popular cultural and political act held in front of the ALRS was attended by dozens of supporters, including social and popular movement activists, artists, members of political parties and unions of various categories.
Around 12:00, there were already dozens of people concentrated in Praça da Matriz. The sound car structure received some artistic presentations while the supporters waited for the deputies.
:: Black bench election bothers traditional elite but dialogues with the people, says Bruna Rodrigues ::
Dozens of supporters honored the People’s Procession in possession of the Bancada Negra at the ALRS / Photo: Pedro Neves
Elder Correa, also known as Deco, saxophone player, composer and teacher, introduced himself. Next, the singer and songwriter Nina Fola went up to the sound car. Finally, the MC, poet, social educator and artist Dkg DekiloGrama introduced himself, asking supporters to raise their left arms to give a salve to each of the members of the bench.
After the presentations, Deputies Bruna and Laura and Deputy Matheus got on the sound car and greeted those present. Finally, the procession was held with the religious leaders, who led the three through the Assembly, to the Plenary where the new state legislature would take office.
Bancada Negra is the result of a long journey
Interviewed by Brazil in fact RSthe three deputies were unanimous in stating that the ownership of a hitherto unprecedented Black Bench is the result of long-term collective political work.
Matheus Gomes said that the parade was aimed at bringing together the various social movements, unions and representations of the black community that were strategic in the 2022 electoral victory and also in strengthening the mandates in the Chamber of Councilors, since 2020.
He stressed that the moment of winning the seat in the municipal legislature took place in the pandemic period, which made any celebration impossible, so that today’s event is configured in the celebration of this whole process.
“This parade represents the strengthening and consolidation of black political representation and also a new renewal that we are building to bring other guidelines that the Assembly needs”, said Matheus.
Deputies affirm that the ownership of the Black Bench in the ALRS is the result of long-term collective political work / Photo: Pedro Neves
For Bruna Rodrigues, the parade demonstrates that the inauguration that would soon take place in the state legislature represents a collective struggle, led by the elders and by the guides of the spiritual and earthly plane.
“For us it is a symbolic arrival, we never walk alone. This entrance could not be individual. If never in the history of the ALRS have black women been present, this arrival symbolizes the occupation of a space that never received us”, stated Bruna.
Also in a statement to the BdF RS report, Laura Sito hailed the mobilization of civil servants, workers, unions and social movements present.
According to her, the mobilization takes place not only because of the possession of the mandates, but mainly in defense of a “democratic resumption of a state that generates a development capable of combating inequalities and guaranteeing a dignified life for workers”.
He also said that he is happy to be part of this unprecedented inauguration and that he believes that the next four years of the legislature await a lot of “social struggle, but from a new perspective of facing the extreme right”.
Finally, he concluded that the parliamentary work of the Caucus should be linked to social movements, following the example of what already happened in the Chamber of Porto Alegre.
:: Click here to receive news from Brasil de Fato RS on your Whatsapp ::
Source: BdF Rio Grande do Sul
Editing: Marcelo Ferreira
