The manifesto of the Shout of the Excluded, a movement that got underway Monday, September 5, in cities throughout Brazil and culminates in the September 7 Brazilian Independence Day commemorations, calls for “profound changes in the economy and politics.”
The text is expected to be read at all events of the Shout, whose theme this year is “Change is in our hands.”
After pointing out in its opening passage that “around 20 million families, that is, 82 million poor people subsist monthly on less than two minimum wages,” the manifesto criticizes the persistence of the primary surplus policy and high interest rates and affirms that “this economic model offers no future to our nation.”
The manifesto also addresses the political crisis, asserting that “the people no longer trust the majority of politicians, and these [politicians] lack legitimacy to represent the people.
“The Brazilian people are experiencing a mixture of sadness and disappointment in view of the situation in our country. The Brazilian nation cannot remain in this predicament.”
The document outlines four proposals, presented as “great challenges”: change in the economic model, an emergency program to overcome extreme poverty, “profound and radical” political reform, and restoration of national sovereignty.
The organization of the Shout of the Excluded arose in 1994, a year before the first demonstration took place. The original proposal was for it to be an extension of the Fraternity Campaign, which is held annually during Lent by the Brazilian National Bishops’ Confederation (CNBB).
The Shout was also intended to reinforce the Second Brazilian Social Week, which had as its theme, “Brazil – Alternatives and Protagonists.”
Agência Brasil