Leader of Brazil's Landless Movement Faces Death Threats

Edited by Ivan Martínez
2015-03-13 14:34:47

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Brasilia, March 13 (teleSUR-RHC)-- Latin America's largest social movement, the Brazilian Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST), is speaking out against death threats against one of its most recognizable leaders.

A “Wanted” poster with a picture of Joao Pedro Stedile and the words “Dead or Alive” has been circulating on social media recently. The image calls the left-wing leader an enemy of Brazil and lists a phone number, as well as a reward of 10,000 Brazilian Reals, (some $3,151).

In a statement posted on their website, the MST said they had informed the authorities about the death threat.

The death threat against Stedile comes as sections of Brazil's right wing are attempting to impeach Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff, who was re-elected in October by a margin of 4 million votes. According to the MST, many social media pages that are opposed to the country's social movements and the Rousseff government are helping circulate the death threat against Stedile.

Using the hashtag #RIPDilma, right-wing political forces in Brazil have organized an anti-government rally on Sunday and have received the support Brazil's business elites, including the powerful Globo media network. Globo owns the largest newspaper and the biggest TV and radio networks in the country.

The MST sees a link between the death threat and the right-wing mobilizations currently underway. “This threat is simply a reflection of sections of the Brazilian upper class that are determined to promote a wave of violence and hate, aimed at destabilizing the government and retake power.”



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