En Passant

Big sporting events are designed to build government popularity and create a sense of social and national cohesion writes Joel Windle in Red Flag. Brazil’s hosting of the World Cup has instead exposed both the country’s deep class divisions and the private interests served by those in power.

A Wave of Strikes Shake Brazil

It is time for strikes. After the huge mobilizations last June, primarily the youth, now it is the working class and they are shaking Brazilian cities.

One of the most important movements in this struggle is the National Articulation of Popular Committees. This is a national coalition of activists against the World Cup’s social impacts. It has opposed emergency laws and defended housing, freedom of protest and the right to the city. Actions and demonstrations are planned before and during the World Cup, including a national day of protest on 15 May.

With one month to go, the only certainty we have about the World Cup is that it will see much struggle in Brazil. And international solidarity can help the fight.

Sean Purdy, a member of the Party of Socialism and Freedom (PSOL) and activist in the Free Fare movement in São Paulo, gives some background in Socialist Worker US to the escalating events in Brazil. Although written only a few days ago the mass demonstrations of hundreds of thousands across Brazil against neoliberal capitalism that have broken out occurred after this was written.

Happening NOW! More than 100,000 Brazilians hit the streets in eight major cities protesting against transport fare rises, political corruption, and poverty.