Landless workers begin national meeting in Brasília.
The meeting, held at the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium, runs until Friday the 14th and marks the 30th anniversary of the MST (Landless Workers' Movement); with the theme "Fighting, Building Popular Agrarian Reform," 15 workers from 23 states will participate in the 6th National Congress, in addition to 250 international guests.
Jorge Wamburg - Reporter for Agência Brasil
The Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) began today (10) the 6th National Congress of the movement, at the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium. The meeting will last until Friday (14). With the theme Fighting, Building Popular Agrarian Reform, 15 thousand workers from 23 states will participate in the congress, in addition to 250 international guests, according to the organizers. The event also marks the 30th anniversary of the creation of the MST. The history of the movement was remembered at the opening, with the participation of 1.500 militants.
The main objective of the congress is to discuss and assess the current situation of the movement, to outline new forms of struggle for land, agrarian reform, and social transformations, according to Marina dos Santos, a member of the MST's National Directorate. During the four days, discussions will cover the challenges of organizing the movement, the political role of settlements, the participation of women and young people, a political act in defense of agrarian reform, and cultural activities.
According to Marina dos Santos, the congress "will also be an opportunity to reaffirm a new agrarian reform program for the country: Popular Agrarian Reform, since the previous agrarian reform model is exhausted and does not produce the effects desired by the movement." She said that today there are 350 settled families in 1.200 municipalities, "but there are also 90 unsettled families living in tents and fighting for land."
The delegations are camped in tents in front of the gymnasium, where dozens of buses are also parked. Simultaneously with the congress, the National Exhibition of Peasant Culture and Production is taking place, showcasing and selling food produced by the settlers, in addition to cultural presentations. In the same space, 12 small agro-industries will also be set up for processing, including those for yerba mate, cachaça, and flour.
On Wednesday afternoon (12), there will be a march in defense of agrarian reform and a party to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the movement. For Thursday (13), a political event for agrarian reform is scheduled, with the participation of social movements, intellectuals and political parties.