Protesters demonstrate against fence next to the Chamber.
The wall was erected after a wave of protests held throughout almost the entire country in June. According to them, the structure built on the lawn, next to Via S1, which has concrete foundations, violates the architectural design of Brasília, considered a World Heritage Site since 1987.
Wellton Maximo
Reporter from Agência Brasil
Brasilia – Members of the Urbanists for Brasília Movement protested today (17) against the construction of a fence on the lawn next to the Chamber of Deputies, next to Via S1, on the Esplanada dos Ministérios. Although part of the structure was removed yesterday (16) afternoon, the part of the fence close to the Chamber's dome was maintained.
With preachers, protesters affixed posters along the fence. According to them, the structure, which has concrete bases, violates the architectural design of Brasília, considered a World Heritage Site since 1987. On the other side of the Esplanade, the lawn near the Senate remains without any type of fencing.
“Brasília is a city known for its polite people. A sign is enough to guide pedestrians and ensure safety. The City Council doesn't need to spend public money on a fence that harms the city's heritage,” criticizes Leiliane Rebouças, a member of the Urbanists for Brasília movement. She is pursuing a master's degree in tourism at the University of Brasília (UnB), specializing in cultural heritage.
Architect Cristiano Nascimento said the fencing is illegal because it lacks the approval of the National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (Iphan). “To erect any structure in the central median of the Esplanade of Ministries, the Chamber should have consulted Iphan, which certainly would not approve the work. They cannot treat Congress as if it were their own backyard,” he complained.
The protesters were initially reprimanded by the Legislative Police. However, they reached an agreement, and the signs were allowed to remain on the fence for an hour and a half. The members of the movement received support from tourists passing by the Congress and from drivers who stopped to honk their horns.
The fence was erected after a wave of protests held throughout almost the entire country. However, the City Council claims that the structure is not intended to isolate protesters. According to the Council, the fence was put in place to protect people who get off at the bus stop and cross the road outside of the pedestrian crossing, risking an accident.
The section of the fence near the Chamber's dome was erected around July 20th. Congress members argued that the fencing aimed to ensure the safety of pedestrians and vehicles passing within ten meters of the building's lower section. Earlier this week, however, the Chamber extended the fence to the beginning of Alameda dos Estados, reaching in front of the Itamaraty Palace. This extension was removed yesterday.
Edited by: Marcos Chagas