Armed with a clothesline of panties, women attended to the Legislative Assembly of Mato Grosso do Sul on Tuesday to protest against machismo and for more female presence in politics— a "Calcinhaço da Democracia" they called it.
The House—the only country without deputies, with all 24 seats occupied by men—became the target of
Feminist groups targeted the State house—the only one in the country without women deputies—after parliamentarians gave against speeches against Carnival that they considered sexist.
The protest disrupted the Legislative building, and a riot erupted between protesters and deputy Professor Rinaldo (PSDB), who became their main target after citing the women's underwear in a speech about Carnival last week.
At the time, the toucan politician criticized the discomfort caused by the Carnival party to an evangelical group in the capital Campo Grande. "The scenes there were terrible, degrading—people urinating in front of the service. Some women took off their panties," he said, asking for respect for those "who profess their faith."
The group of about 30 participants in the "panties" protest booed Rinaldo. The deputy, who is from the evangelical bench, was interrupted several times by shouting that came from the auditorium. He was visibly irritated and said that there was "a prejudgment without hearing the true story".
"I believe that educated South-Mato Grosso women are ashamed," he said, addressing the protesters, who responded. He also said he was embarrassed by the reaction. "They took a phrase and created a hell of a mess." The session was suspended.
Translated by Kiratiana Freelon