After being barred from the meeting affected people protest against Samarco’s authoritarianism

At the end of Monday afternoon (14), residents of Mascarenhas district of the city Baixo Guandu (ES), were barred by Samarco (Vale/BHP Billiton) to participate in a meeting that was scheduled to take place in the community. The technical claimed that, according to the mining regulations, was only allowed the entry of a commission. The company remained intransigentand refused to hold the meeting if the press and the Movement of Dam Affected People (MAB) remained in the room; although this decision was questioned by the commission.

Outraged by the fact, citizens remained in vigil outside the school gates which where locked with padlocks, while Samarco was in meeting with some people of the community. The mayor, Neto Barros, was informed of the incident and went to the community to talk to the protesters.

According to the mayor of Baixo Guandu, Samarco has taken this attitude to demobilize the population. “The company has used this tactic to meet only with commissions to divide communities that mobilize in defense of rights,” said Barros. The families remained at the front of the school, until the end of the meeting, to receive from the group the outcomes and information of the meeting.

MAB, with the City Hall, will hold an assembly with the community to discuss about this period the city is living. A member of the national coordination of MAB, Neudicléia de Oliveira, stressed the importance of the community to remain united and to demand collectively their rights. “It is through struggle and organization we will be able to unmask this company that committed this environmental crime,” said Neudicléia.

Families reaffirmed that they will remain mobilized and will take into list the losses of those affected caused by the toxic mud that invaded the basin of Rio Doce after the dam break in Mariana (MG).