March 1st: a day to fight, not to celebrate

Alex Cardoso, MNCR, na Cúpula dos Povos, Rio de Janeiro.

In 1992, ten waste pickers were murdered in Barranquilla, Colombia, by professors and students that wanted to study their bodies. The victims – the majority homeless – were taken to the university and were promised support and solidarity in return. Many waste pickers are brutally murdered every day across the world – many as a result of unsafe work conditions, extreme exploitation, and immense prejudice that still exists about our work. Here in Brazil, from 2007 until this date, ten waste pickers have died – proof of the apathy plaguing our municipal governments. Thus, far from providing a motive for celebration, we continue to fight. March 1st reminds us that the path to victory is still a utopian ideal, but with our strength and struggle, we will conquer our rights to live with dignity and for recognition of our work. Far from a celebration, March 1st is a day to fight! Access the complete article (in Portuguese).