MST Advocates Agrarian Reform and Structural Changes in the Day of Struggles

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

General StrikeThe MST will be included in the mobilization of trade unions, social movements and political organizations of the working class to take to the streets of the country, on Thursday (July 11), to defend a political platform, with the reduction of working hours, investment of 10% of GDP for health and education, free and quality public transport, the democratization of the media and the implementation of land reform.

The MST will participate in struggles around the country, carrying out road blockades and participating in marches of the labor unions. "We are participating in the construction of the acts from the start with the other organizations. It is an important moment for the country, because despite differences between organizations, we developed a single agenda of struggles that can be the beginning of a process of achievements for workers," said Gilmar Mauro, from the National Coordination of the MST.

Agrarian reform is one of the main agendas of the demonstrations, work stoppages and strikes that demand the settlement of the 150,000 families in encampments.

According Gilmar Mauro, the demand by all the unions for Agrarian Reform puts the issue back on the social agenda. "Agrarian reform is not just about the peasants. It is important for all the popular movements, and if workers are not put on the agenda, it will not leave. So it is very important that urban movements have embraced the agrarian reform agenda," he says.

In São Paulo, the demonstration takes place on Avenida Paulista. Social movements are gathering from noon in the Praça Mal Cordeiro de Farias (known as Praça dos Arcos, at the end of Avenida Angelica, between the Paulista and Dr Arnold).

[The remainder of the article describes the demonstrations throughout Brazil.  If you are in Brazil, here is the link to the article on the MST website.]