London shows its support for Brazil

21 Jun, 2013

VERSION IN ENGLISH 

By Carolina Beal
Translation by Harriet Batey

Close to two thousand people united on Tuesday 18 ^th June in Old Palaca Yard, Westminster, to show their support for the protest throughout the whole of Brazil.

As immigrants, we are often deprived of our own nationality: we are foreigners, outside or inside of the system, non-English. So far from home, despite maintaining our identity, we rarely feel that we can make a difference within our own country.

It was because of this, when demonstrations were organised in support of those Brazilians protesting in our country, that the news spread rapidly and confirmed the huge presence of Brazilians here, via social media. Those of us living abroad finally could help make some noise and bring attention to the demonstrations in our home country.

On Tuesday 18 ^th June, according to the Metropolitan Police of London, two thousand people came together in Old Palace Yard, Westminster, with flags and banners to show solidarity and inclusion within this moment for our country. Yet, of course we didn’t feel alone: in Portugal, nearly 3,000 people (2,000 in Lisbon, 500 in Coimbra, 300 in Porto) took to the streets in support of our countrymen; in Glasgow, 200; Barcelona, 500; and Florence, 200, amongst others.

Numerous issues were raised by the Brazilian population in London (seen in the included pictures), who sang hymns and chanted demands in a peaceful way, dressed in green and yellow and with our country’s flag. One of the event organisers, Maurício Azevedo, spoke about interest in the events in the country:

‘We, Brazilians living abroad, what’s happening in our country is a concern to us, as well the majority of us having parents and friends there, it’s our home and we want the best for it”.

Furthermore, he praised the British police – “the police have given us the best support and helped when necessary” – and the demonstrations in the English capital were peaceful. “Seeing so many people assembled together was very beautiful and gratifying, it made me feel like I was truly helping the people in Brazil”, he added.