Teachers in São Paulo continue their strike, which has now lasted 42 days.

Elaine Patricia Cruz – Reporter for Agência Brasil

Teachers in the state education system decided today (24) to continue the strike that began on March 13. The assembly of the category took place in front of the São Paulo Museum of Art (Masp). Usually, it was held in the open space of the building. But, this Friday, they were prohibited from holding the meeting there. They are mainly demanding a salary increase of 75,33%.

"This demonstrates the teachers' willingness to fight after the 0% raise given by the Secretary of Education. If he doesn't offer a raise, it means it's a 0% raise," said Maria Izabel Azevedo Noronha, known as Bebel, president of the Union of Teachers in the Official Education System of the State of São Paulo (Apeoesp).

Moments before the assembly began, when there were few teachers present, military police occupied the open space, created a barrier, and began removing the demonstrators from the area, moving them towards Avenida Paulista, where the assembly was held. The police action did not encounter resistance from the strikers.

One of those responsible for the operation, a captain in the Military Police (PM) who did not want to be identified, told Agência Brasil that the action was carried out at the request of MASP, which complains about the noise from the sound trucks that are causing damage to the museum's structure. The police officer also said that this will happen at any demonstration that uses the museum's open space on Avenida Paulista as a gathering point. Agência Brasil contacted MASP, which did not confirm the request made to the PM.

The Apeoesp board complied with the police's request to leave the premises and, from the sound truck, instructed the teachers to concentrate on Avenida Paulista, without forcing their way into the museum's open space. The assembly took place without confrontation.

"They [the police] didn't allow [teachers in the open space]. We're going to discuss this with the [police] command. We see other movements demonstrating here and they won't destroy [the MASP]. But we're going to do it and it's going to break? How so? The good aspect of this is that it shows they care about us. We've always occupied the open space and it's never been a problem. I think this is a certain intolerance," said Bebel.

In addition to continuing the movement, the teachers also approved a new assembly for next Thursday (30), starting at 14 pm, on Avenida Paulista, in front of Masp. At this moment, the strikers are walking along Avenida Paulista, heading towards the Education Secretariat, located in Praça da República, in the center. The route passes through Rua da Consolação.

Yesterday (23), there was a confrontation between police and teachers in front of the secretariat headquarters, after a meeting between Apeoesp and Secretary Herman Voorwald, which ended without an agreement. After the meeting, a group of teachers tried to occupy the building, forcing their way in and were repressed by the PM with pepper spray.

"I think nothing justifies violence. But don't justify this violence by leaving teachers with 0% raise for 42 days or sitting at a table, as the secretary did, and spending two hours saying no [to the demands]. I think that when there is a deadlock, [the government and the secretary] should mediate," said the president of Apeoesp.

According to her, the teachers filed a lawsuit to prevent their pay from being deducted for days they were on strike. They also filed a lawsuit in the Regional Labor Court requesting that the Superior Labor Court (TST) act as an intermediary in negotiations with the government.

During the assembly, the Military Police estimated the presence of one thousand teachers at the location, but assessed that by the end of the event this estimate could increase, reaching 10. The organizers, however, calculated the number of participants at 50.