Lost the vote, comrade? Then shut down Rio Branco Avenue!
It seems simple: supporters of the PSOL and PSTU parties disliked the composition of the Bus CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry) in the Rio de Janeiro City Council; dissatisfied, they blocked Avenida Rio Branco this afternoon; they are not thousands, much less millions, but a small group of a few dozen adherents of these groups; in the same vein as occupying the City Council and defecating on public property, they decided to directly disrupt the city's daily life, making workers pay for their frustration with time and inconvenience; monstrous traffic jam; is it legitimate to act like this?
From Agência Brasil
Rio de Janeiro – Protesters opposed to the composition of the Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry (CPI) on Buses in the City Council (read Here's a news article from 247. Regarding this, they blocked Rio Branco and Evaristo da Veiga avenues, near Cinelândia, causing congestion throughout the area, as well as on streets and avenues leading to the city center. Traffic is also at a standstill on Avenida Presidente Vargas, in the port area. There are also repercussions on Avenida Brasil and the Rio-Niterói Bridge, in the direction of Rio.
The blockade began around 11:30 am, with protesters walking between the cars. They sat and lay down in the middle of the lanes. Some are masked and carry signs with the phrase: "CPI [Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry] don't end in nothing." Others shout slogans asking for support for the public school teachers of the state and the capital, who are on strike indefinitely.
A young man participating in the demonstration, who did not want to be identified, said that the group will continue protesting peacefully as long as the police do not intervene. One protester was collecting signatures against the composition of the CPI (Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry). The protesters are demonstrating against the election of councilman Chiquinho Brazão (PMDB) to the presidency of the commission. They demand that the position be filled by councilman Eliomar Coelho (PSOL), who proposed the establishment of the CPI.
Traffic Engineering Company (CET-Rio) agents are directing drivers to exit via Avenida Almirante Barroso, one block before Cinelândia, but many are trying to turn around and drive against traffic. Others have turned off their cars and are waiting for the lanes to be cleared.
"I had a hearing at the Regional Labor Court that was scheduled three months ago. Now I'll have to wait for the judge to reschedule and that's going to disrupt my life," said shop assistant André Luiz da Costa Marinho, 25. Bus driver Antônio Cezar Leite said that, although traffic jams are routine, today's (15) traffic jam is more complicated. "Normally I make three trips, but today I'll only make one," said Leite, who drives the Centro-Campo Grande line.
Military police officers who were positioned at the side entrance of the City Council moved to Avenida Rio Branco. According to the Military Police (PM), approximately 300 officers from five battalions are monitoring the protest, and the situation is under control. "We are allowing them to carry out the peaceful demonstration. As soon as we feel it has been enough, we will stop it. Traffic is being properly diverted," said the commander of the 5th Battalion of the PM, Major Lourival Belitardo, who is in charge of the operation.
Edited by: Carolina Pimentel