Anyone who passed by Copacabana Beach this Saturday morning (16) came across more than 700 empty plates stuck in the sand. The act that called for the end of hunger in the world was one of two demonstrations held on the shore of the most famous beach in Rio de Janeiro, on the eve of the G20 summit meeting, a group formed by the largest economies on the planet plus the European Union and the European Union. African.
The protest was an initiative of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) Rio de Paz and Ação da Cidadania. According to the founder of Rio de Paz, Antonio Carlos Costa, the 733 dishes are a reference to the 733 million people who were hungry last year, according to the The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World reportlaunched by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
“What makes us indignant is the fact that today, on our planet, there is insufficient food production to feed everyone”, says Costa.
Next to the dishes, banners with the famous phrase by sociologist Herbert de Souza, known as Betinho, founder of Ação da Cidadania: “Whoever is hungry is in a hurry”, in Portuguese and English (Those who are hungry can’t wait).
“Rio de Janeiro will welcome people who are able to make a difference, to put an end to the scourge of hunger,” said Costa, referring to the G20 meeting, on Monday (18) and Tuesday (19).
“We hope, therefore, to extract from these political leaders this commitment [combate à fome]but in such a way that measurable goals are presented to the world, a schedule with a strong commitment to accountability, so that we can all follow the development of the implementation of these public policies, so that at the end there is not a single human being in the face of the Earth before an empty plate of food”, he emphasized.
Copacabana hosts demonstrations to end hunger and to put pressure on the G20. Photo: Rodrigo Matos/Disclosure
Global Alliance
The demonstration took place on the same morning that representatives of civil society who participated in the G20 Social, in the port area of Rio de Janeiro, handed over to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a priority chart. One of the recommendations is to combat hunger.
The topic is also one of the priorities of the Brazilian government, which holds the annual rotating presidency of the G20 until this month. On Monday, Brazil awaits approval by the group of nations of the terms of the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty, which has initial potential to benefit 500 million people on the planet.
THE pre-launch of the Global Alliance, in July, took place precisely at the headquarters of Ação da Cidadania – a reference institution in the fight against hunger – in the central region of Rio de Janeiro.
The NGO’s national coordinator, Rodrigo “Kiko” Afonso, highlights that this Saturday’s event was designed to take place on the eve of the G20 with the aim of putting pressure on world leaders. “Trying to sensitize these leaders to the issue of hunger, the most fundamental problem of human beings”, he states. “Also raise awareness to join the Global Alliance against Hunger and Poverty so that we can, together across the world, put an end to this once and for all.” At least 41 countries have already committed to actions related to the alliance, which is not restricted to G20 countries.
Counterpoint to the G20
Another demonstration that occupied the Copacabana waterfront this Saturday was organized by the People’s Summit. The international collective, which brings in its name an alternative to the leaders’ summit, has its origins in 2012, when it held, also in Rio de Janeiro, an alternative social participation movement parallel to Rio+20 (United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development).
The act questioned the decision-making power in the hands of world leaders. Some participants wore masks of heads of government, such as the president-elect of the United States, Donald Trump; the current president, Joe Biden; French President Emmanuel Macron; and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who “wore” a bloody white apron – a criticism of the Israeli offensive in Palestine.
The theme of Palestine was one of the highlights of the march. Protesters called for an end to the occupation of Palestinian territory and Israeli military aggression.
“A diverse, colorful, fighting, hard-hitting march”, described the economist and member of the national operative of the Peoples’ Summit, Sandra Quintela. According to Sandra, with the strength and articulation of social and popular movements, it was possible to give a message of “free Palestine” and “out, imperialism”, in contrast to the G20. “Where do we know that these matters do not come into play”, said Sandra, in a message sent to Brazil Agency.
Sandra Quintela classifies the G20 as an “instrument of imperialism” and recognizes that Brazil “tries to humanize” the forum, referring to the G20 Social, an initiative of the Brazilian rotating presidency that allowed coordination between organized civil society throughout the year. “But this [humanização] It’s practically impossible, so I think the street today showed our strength.”
Last Thursday (14), the collective held a critical debate at the headquarters of the Brazilian Press Association, in the center of Rio, where they discussed topics such as climate justice, anti-patriarchal, anti-racist and anti-capitalist struggles, as well as popular sovereignty.
“The march against the G20 is to say loud and clear that this architecture of international power does not serve the people. That we need to build other relationships between nations and peoples, based on solidarity, the search for equality and freedom and the right to self-determination of peoples. Associated with this, the end of all wars in the world”, details José Antônio Moroni, member of the collective.
World leaders
The final point of the temporary Brazilian presidency at the G20 will be the meeting of heads of state and government. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva committed to taking the G20 Social final document to world leaders, which reflects needs and priorities selected by institutions such as social movements, unions and non-governmental organizations.
The G20 is made up of 19 countries: South Africa, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, South Korea, United States, France, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, United Kingdom, Russia and Turkey, in addition to the European Union and the African Union.
The group’s members represent around 85% of the world economy, more than 75% of global trade and around two-thirds of the planet’s population.
