- **Q: What is the 'Cordão da Mentira'?
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Human Rights / Protest
Mothers Lead São Paulo's 'Cordão da Mentira' March Against Police Violence
The streets of central São Paulo witnessed the 12th 'Cordão da Mentira' (Lie Parade) on April 1st, 2025, marking 61 years since the 1964 military coup in Brazil. This unique blend of art and protest serves not only as a memorial to the atro...
Key Insights
- **Annual Protest:** The 12th 'Cordão da Mentira' took place in São Paulo on April 1st, 2025.
- **Commemoration & Denunciation:** It marked the 61st anniversary of the 1964 military coup while denouncing ongoing state violence and human rights violations.
- **Mothers at the Forefront:** Mothers and relatives of young victims of police violence led the march, carrying photos and symbols of their loved ones, like Bruna da Silva with her son Marcos Vinicius's blood-stained uniform.
- **Theme:** This year's theme was "Desfile Para Adiar o Fim do Mundo" (Parade to Postpone the End of the World), inspired by Indigenous writer Ailton Krenak, linking the fight against state violence to Indigenous resistance and ancestral memory.
- **Broad Coalition:** The event united various movements, including Indigenous groups, Mães de Maio, MST (Landless Workers' Movement), MTST (Homeless Workers' Movement), MNU (Unified Black Movement), and supporters of Palestinian rights.
- **Demands:** Calls included an end to police violence, demarcação (demarcation) of Indigenous lands, rejection of amnesty for the January 8th coup plotters, and criticism of São Paulo's security policies under Secretary Guilherme Derrite.
- **Why this matters:** The protest underscores that the violence characteristic of the military dictatorship did not end with its formal conclusion, particularly for marginalized communities. It highlights the critical need for memory, accountability, and systemic change in public security.
In-Depth Analysis
The 'Cordão da Mentira' has become a significant annual event in São Paulo, strategically held on April 1st (often referred to as 'Dia da Mentira' or April Fools' Day in Brazil) to counter the narrative surrounding the 1964 military coup. By reclaiming this date, activists remember the victims of the dictatorship and draw direct parallels to contemporary state violence.
**Connecting Past and Present:** The core message is that for many, especially the poor, Black, and Indigenous populations, the oppressive structures of the dictatorship persist. Casé Angatu, an Indigenous leader from Bahia, stated, "They think the dictatorship ended in '85, but the dictatorship has existed since 1500 and continues to exist... For us who are poor, indigenous, black people, peripheral and poor, the dictatorship never ended."
**Mothers' Resistance:** The presence of mothers whose children were killed by police is a powerful element. Their silent march, holding photos and symbols like São Jorge leaves (associated with protection and warrior Ogun), embodies profound grief and unwavering resistance. Bruna da Silva, whose 14-year-old son Marcos Vinicius was killed during a police operation in Rio de Janeiro, emphasized the solidarity found at the event: "Here are our people, people who understand, people who are targeted just like us."
**Indigenous and Palestinian Solidarity:** The 2025 theme, inspired by Ailton Krenak, broadened the scope, explicitly connecting the struggle against state violence in Brazil to the defense of Indigenous rights and territories, and showing solidarity with the Palestinian people facing violence.
**Critiques of Current Policies:** The protest also targeted current political figures and policies, including calls for the removal of São Paulo's Security Secretary Guilherme Derrite (a former captain in the Rota, a notoriously lethal police unit) and criticism of Mayor Ricardo Nunes' security measures.
FAQ
- **Q: Why is it held on April 1st?
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- **Q: Who participates in the event?
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Takeaways
- **Understand the Legacy:** Recognize that historical events like the Brazilian military dictatorship have lasting impacts on present-day state violence and social inequality.
- **Identify Affected Groups:** State violence disproportionately affects Black, Indigenous, and poor peripheral communities in Brazil.
- **Value of Memory & Protest:** Understand that public demonstrations and remembering past atrocities are crucial tools for demanding justice and preventing future violence.
- **Support Solidarity:** Recognize the importance of solidarity between different movements fighting against oppression.
Discussion
The persistence of state violence decades after the formal end of the dictatorship raises critical questions about accountability and systemic change.
*Do you think protests like the 'Cordão da Mentira' are effective in bringing about change? Let us know your thoughts!*
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Sources
Source 1: Mães de jovens vítimas da violência policial se unem em 12º desfile do Cordão da Mentira: 'A gente sabe a dor de cada uma' - Brasil de Fato
*Information compiled by Yanuki using the latest trends and data from Brasil de Fato, Ponte Jornalismo, and A Verdade.*
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