Protestors returned to the streets for the second time this month in another grand demonstration against the education budget cuts that Jair Bolsonaro's (PSL) administration introduced last month.
The Ministry of Education, in a note shared on social media, asked people to denounce teachers, employees, students, and parents who promoted the manifestations during the school hour. Yesterday, the minister Abraham Weintraub had said that students were being coerced by their teachers to protest.
Even though the protests were smaller than those on May 15, they still took place in at least 22 cities and the federal district. According to the National Union of Students (UNE), which organized the protest, there were events held in 95 cities.
The demonstrations were massive in cities like São Paulo, Rio, Salvador, Recife, Fortaleza, and Belém. Many signs and chants referenced the scholarship cuts and budget freezes that are affecting science.
Many criticized Bolsonaro and demanded the freedom of ex-president Lula. Others also criticized social security reform and pleaded for justice for Marielle Franco, the city councilwoman who was assassinated.
In São Paulo, the public was composed, in large part, of students, teachers and members of social movements and trade unions. They carried posters with sayings like " more research, less militias," and "science destroys the myth."
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon