Copacabana, in Rio de Janeiro in Defense of Democracy, Against Racism, for Reparation and Good Living

Thousands of black women marched this Sunday (26) in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro (RJ) in defense of democracy, against racism, for reparation and for good living. This was the theme chosen for the 12th edition of the Black Women's March in Rio de Janeiro to demand public policies that confront historical inequalities and racism, promoting social justice and decent living conditions for the black population. The march was held right after the International Day of Latin American and Caribbean Black Women and the National Day of Tereza de Benguela, celebrated this Saturday (25).

The coordinator of the State Forum of Black Women in Rio de Janeiro, Clátia Vieira, highlighted that well-being is the final objective, and it will only be achieved with reparation measures. “First, listen to black women, and second, place racism as a structural agenda in society. The connection between racism and capitalism that kills black women, that makes them unemployed, that makes them experience economic, political and social instability.

12th March of Black Women in Rio de Janeiro, on the Copacabana waterfront. - Tânia Rêgo/Agência Brasil Educator Bárbara Carine participated in the march together with the whole family and considers it important to include children in the mobilization spaces. “I believe that politics is in the process of understanding who we are, our rights, and how far we still are from where we should be.

The march is a moment to think about our historical advances, to celebrate our journey, but mainly to look to a future of good living. We want to move beyond survival issues, he said. Rio councilwoman Marielle Franco, murdered in 2018 in a politically motivated crime, once again appeared as a symbol of struggle on banners, t-shirts and in speeches.

Mariele's mother, Marinete Silva participated in the event. "Marielle was at the march in 2017 and had to be here today, on the streets with black women. She was taken down but she won't let us remain silent.

Women's political participation is essential and was also her project. So it's important that we come", said Marinete. Throughout the march, political speeches were interspersed with artistic presentations, from groups such as Afrolaje, Angoleiras and Obara Ylê de Ouro, who celebrated ancestry, resistance and black cultural production. The couple Cinthia Garcia and Laísse Santos believe that this celebration is fundamental.””