Students mobilized in protest against public transport fares. The mobilization faced rain in the center of São Paulo, in the late afternoon and early evening of this Wednesday (14).
“This is another act that adds to the tradition that the student movement here in the state of São Paulo has of starting the year by always occupying the streets in reaction to the increase in public transport fares. We also occupy the streets in defense of a historic achievement of ours, which was the free student pass. This right has suffered a series of attacks but we know that it is a fundamental element for students to remain at the university”, said Bianca Borges, member of the National Union of Student States, who participated in the act.
Movimento Passe Livre demonstrates in front of city hall against the adjustment of transport fares in São Paulo- Paulo Pinto/Agência Brasil
The state and city hall recently increased public transport passes on rail in greater São Paulo and bus in the capital.
Mobilized against the increase in bus fares, the participants also demanded the right to a free pass and access to culture, leisure and education.
Two young people were detained by the police at the beginning of the act, still close to city hall. They covered their faces with balaclava-type masks. When questioned, the Public Security Secretariat did not comment on the arrests. The police officer who coordinated the action justified it by saying that it is illegal to use the item in acts.
“In this act we ask for a historic demand from the student movement, which is the right to access the city, the right to urban mobility which, not surprisingly, in the government of Tarcísio and Nunes they have followed to the letter, the neoliberal recipe which is to place the rights of the people, public law on the business counter to favor private interests,” declared Wesley Gabriel, president of the State Union of Students, one of the groups that organized the act. Other cities in São Paulo, such as Campinas and Sorocaba, also have events planned.
