The historical MAB National Meeting in São Paulo starts!

This Monday (2nd September) started the MAB National Meeting, in São Paulo, gathering around 2.500 people affected by dams of  17 Brazilian states. With lots of music, mysthique and enthusiasm, the beginning of the action had the presence of many supporters of the Movement, representatives of Brazilian and international partnerships entities, social movements, syndicates, political parties and government.

The Municipal Secretary of Human Rights from São Paulo Mayor, Rogerio Sotill opened the meeting. He highlighted the importance of the social movements, specially MAB: “If these social groups stop for just one month, our country also stops ; it’s the social movements that qualifies the action of the public power.”

Fernando Matos, representing the General Secretary of the Presidency of the Republic detached that “we need to preserve the nature and make our own people to go forward in our independency” and reforced the importance of the National Meeting. 

Luiz Dalla Costa, from the national coordination of MAB, talked about the reasons that led the Movement accomplishes its meeting in São Paulo: strengthen the alliance of the city workers and denounce the big companies and their trickeries. “ It’s here where the class struggle happens and it’s here that we want to make the dispute for a new Popular Energetic Project.”

Dom Enemésio Ângelo, from CNBB (the national council of catholic bishop) quoted Dom Pedro Casaldáliga: “The harder is the time, stronger shall be the hope” and remembered the importance of knowing the ways of oppression of the capital over the people, of hearing the shouts of the oppressed and getting gathered to reforce the struggle against the oppressors.

João Paulo Rodrigues, from MST national coordination, detached the movement fraternity with MAB. According to him, MAB is the reference in the start of land struggles and also for being one of the most radical movements in the fights against the big capital monopolies. The two movements are also partners in the proposition of a new Project for the country and in strengthening  political training. “Besides, the meeting happens in an important moment, when lots of people occupy the streets to demand a different country.”

Alexander Quintana Cañete, representing the Cuban Consulate, thanked the support of MAB for the struggle of the Cuban people, and specially for the doctors coming to Brazil. “Cuba collaborates internationally for more than 50 years by sending out doctors and giving high quality, universal and free health access to those who don’t have it.”  MAB invites the present organizations to sign a support statement for Cuban doctors.

Representatives of social movements coming from more than 25 countries were present in the National Meeting.