MST closes highways; Motu blocks bridge; “Não Pago” burns João.
On a day of national strike, social movements and labor unions held various protests in the state; by the end of the day, the MST (Landless Workers' Movement) expected to close 13 highways; the Aracaju-Barra bridge was blocked until 9 am by the Urban Workers' Movement; the "Não Pago" (I Don't Pay) movement, dissatisfied with the lack of dialogue from the municipal administration, burned an effigy symbolizing Mayor João Alves Filho (DEM); some stores in the city center were closed; labor unions attempted to paralyze transportation.
Sergipe 247 – The National Day of Strikes is proving quite eventful in Sergipe. In the interior, several sections of state highways were closed this Thursday morning (11) – the goal of the Landless Workers Movement (MST) is to block 13 points. In the capital, traffic on the Aracaju-Barra bridge was suspended by members of the Organized Movement of Urban Workers (Motu) for about two hours, but has already been released. In front of the Aracaju city hall, an effigy of Mayor João Alves Filho (DEM) was burned by protesters from the Não Pago Movement. In the afternoon, the trade union centers will hold a large march.
According to the Infonet Portal, more than three thousand members of the MST (Landless Workers' Movement) are already on the roads blocking the passage of vehicles. Their main demand is agrarian reform. The strike is a way to demand more speed in the processes and improvements in the conditions of the settlements. Early this morning, sections of highways were closed in the cities of Carmópolis, Japaratuba, Propriá, Carira, and Malhada dos Bois.
On the Construtor João Alves bridge, between the municipalities of Aracaju and Barra dos Coqueiros, residents of informal settlements in both cities, as well as in Nossa Senhora do Socorro, blocked traffic by setting fire to the roadway. The bridge was reopened around 9:00 AM.
From the "Não Pago" (I Don't Pay) Movement, approximately 200 people gathered to support popular housing and public transportation movements, as well as national demands. The group positioned themselves early in the morning in front of Petrobras headquarters on Rua Acre, in the Castelo Branco neighborhood, where oil workers were demonstrating. After this initial gathering, they proceeded to the Aracaju City Hall. In front of the building, they set fire to an effigy representing Mayor João Alves Filho, protesting his silence on issues involving public transportation.
In the city center, some stores closed their doors, but are expected to reopen later today. There are unofficial reports of an attempt by labor unions to paralyze public transportation. At 14 PM, groups will gather at Praça Fausto Cardoso for a march.
Photos: G1/SE; NE Notícias and Portal Infonet