Artists call for stronger policies to protect young black people from violence

Criado em 05/08/13 19h24 e atualizado em 06/08/13 08h57
Por Luana Lourenço, Heloísa Cristaldo and Mariana Tokarnia Edição:s Fonte:Agência Brasil

Brasília – Artists who represent black youth and suburban areas had a meeting on Monday (August 5) with president Dilma Rousseff. They told the president there was a need for stronger policies to help fight violence against black youth, a populational group in which a large number of murders are reported.

Their claims were written down onto a letter signed by over 80 artists, which was read aloud by rapper and anti-racism activist, Genival Oliveira Gonçalves, known as Gog. The reading of the letter took place during the ceremony celebrating the approval of the Youth Statute.

“The violence and repression experienced by some during the protests in June is what everyday life is like for those who live in the suburbs – except that rubber bullets are replaced with real, steel ones,” Gog declared.

In the text, artists also ask for the demilitarization of Brazil’s police and the abolition of the “resistance report” used by the police to justify deaths during conflicts. “Instead of investments in weapons and penitentiaries, we demand more investments in new schools, health care and culture,” he declared.

According to Gog, the young black population from the suburbs are the greatest victims of violence and he emphasized he also meant police violence. “Torture and repression exerted by the police are still common in our country and suburban youth are its greatest victims. We want actions that directly fight violence against black youth,” he said.

During his short speech, the rapper reminded the audience of Amarildo de Souza, a construction worker, who has been missing for over 20 days after a police operation in the Rocinha community. “How many Amarildos will lose their lives? How many fathers, how many people that could contribute to a better future will be taken from us?” Gog asked.

The Youth Statute, passed today, is a compilation of rights for young people aged from 15 to 29. It extends rights already established by law – education, work, health care and culture – in order to meet the specific needs of this age group, that around 51 million Brazilians belong to.

Editors: Nádia Franco / Olga Bardawil
Translators: Fabrício Ferreira / Olga Bardawil