The fire fighters (first responders, life guards, firefighters) in Rio are on strike for better wages and benefits including transportation. Right now their current salary of 950R a month, equivalent to 600$, is the worst paid employees in Brazil. They are asking for and increase to 2000R a month, about 1200$.
This past Friday what set out to be a peaceful demonstration strike turned into tear gas, rubber bullets and flash grenades. Women and children were caught in the mix and a total of 439 men were arrested on charges of political disruption, impeding emergency response and one other that I can't remember. These men were taken into custody by the military police and held without food and water for 24hrs, until transferred to another facility out of the city where they are still being held without representation.
The information above was given to me by a friend, who's friend (a Macae lifeguard) escaped the arrests. Two of our Macae lifeguards are currently being held by the military police and facing 2 to 10 years in jail. The governor of Rio calls these men vandals and claims that he doesn't negotiate with vandals.
I think this is just sad that a city cannot provide more for these men. How are they supposed to live on a salary like that? I really hope that this news gets picked up by other countries that way the city of Rio will have to take action or face international scrutiny. This is one of the reasons why I am even discussing this on the blog.
I found only one story in English on a fire fighter website.
Story in English
Below is a youtube video news story but some good footage.
Tchau,
Sara
Hey Sara,
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! Here is a link to another video highlighting some events leading up to this protest. Thought it was interesting.
http://youtu.be/1VAe2atC0yI
Thanks!
Love the video! Hopefully more and more people will talk about what going on. I can't believe they are still holding all of them! I wish there was more that we could do.
ReplyDeleteSara, I came across another video on youtube today. Quite interesting, it is titled "The Olympics without Lifeguards". During Rio's celebration for being chosen for the Olympics there was a big festival on Copacabana beach. The picture of thousands of people holding a sign that says "Rio Loves You" was featured worldwide on various magazines/newspapers. Watch this video, there are rescues taking place in the water captured in the pictures. So the video is interesting, not many people know what the Bombeiros do every day to keep people safe. But Rio is in the spotlight now. Some interesting facts and pictures in the video. But sorry, it is in Portuguese also.
ReplyDeletehttp://youtu.be/aeDvqysFhh8
Thanks Jess! These are great and the more people that watch or pass it along the better.
ReplyDeleteI also found another article in English
http://riotimesonline.com/brazil-news/rio-politics/rio-firefighters-and-police-clash-in-protests/
Watching that video makes me think about all the rescues that we see in Macae each summer. I can't even imagine what it's like in Rio.
ReplyDelete