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Judi Lynn

(160,217 posts)
Sat Feb 22, 2020, 05:02 AM Feb 2020

Rio Carnival takes a stand against Bolsonaro's divisive rhetoric



As Rio de Janeiro prepares to kick off Carnival, Mangueira is one of several samba schools using the world’s biggest festival as a platform for protest, with their theme of a Jesus of the favela returning to a land with prophets of intolerance

by Ana Ionova
Fri 21 Feb 2020 01.00 EST

Packed into the brightly lit samba rehearsal hall, in the Mangueira favela of Rio de Janeiro, hundreds of revellers dressed in pink and emerald threw their arms towards the sky and burst into song. As they sang, some wiped tears from their eyes. Couples drew closer, clutching one another’s hand.

“My name is Jesus of the people,” the crowd chanted. “I am found in love which finds no boundary; search for me in the ranks who fight against oppression.”

As Rio de Janeiro prepares to kick off its annual Carnival festivities on Friday, Mangueira is among several samba schools poised to turn the world’s biggest festival into a platform for protest against the divisive rhetoric that has marked President Jair Bolsonaro’s first year in office.

This year, the Mangueira parade will tell the story of Jesus born in the favela who stands up to “prophets of intolerance”.

More:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/feb/21/dance-protest-rio-de-janeiro-carnival-parade-against-bolsonaro-intolerance-photo-essay
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