12.03.2009
Solidarity to the farmers arrested
in the north of the state rio grande do sul

Seven leaders under the accusation of hostage taking were arrested and imprisoned in Erexim/RS

Yesterday morning (11/03), dozens of farmers belonging to social movements linked to Via Campesina participated in mobilizations in Erexim, in the north of the State of Rio Grande do Sul. In assembly, they decided to occupy an agency of Bank of Brazil (Banco do Brasil) in the city centre, with the occupation finally taking place early afternoon.

The occupation meant to apply pressure to the Federal and State Governments in order to satisfy the farmers’ demands presented in various mobilizations in the region in recent days. The mobilizations seek to draw the attention of the governments and the society to the misery and abandonment of farmers, which on top of the accumulating systemic problems of the sector are currently facing severe draught. Their demands amongst others are: suspension of payments for the seeds of the “change-change program”; revision of debts and readjustment to the real financial conditions of small farmers; readjustment of the National Crop Insurance Program-Proagro; state intervention to regulate food prices and the stocking and marketing of the products of family farming.

The protesters had been inside the bank agency for two hours when the Special Operations Force (BOE) of the Military Police of the State, violently expelled them. Around 60 of them were subjected to verbal abuses, body search and were taken into custody. Seven of the comrades were accused for hostage taking and remain in prison:

Patricia Prezzotto,
Neri Valsolar,
Marco Antonio Trierveiler,
Antonio Caldart,
Fernando Fornazieri,
Eder Luis Warzybiat,
Valdir Rocha.

The Movement of Dam Affected People repudiates this attitude which has been common practice by police dealing with mobilizations of social movements, denounces the atrocities of the State Police of Rio Grande do Sul and calls for solidarity from activists, social movements and other entities. Letters of solidarity to the imprisoned comrades can be sent to: mab_sul@mabnacional.org.br and mab@mabnacional.org.br and protest letters to the following authorities:

Federal Justice Minister: Tarso Genro
E-mail: gabinetedoministro@mj.gov.br
Tel: +55 (61) 3429-3101 and +55 (61) 3226-2296 / 2291 / 2089
Fax: +55 (61) 3322-6817

State Secretary of Security – State of Rio Grande do Sul: Sr. Dr. Edson de Oliveira Goularte
E-mail: gabinete@ssp.rs.gov.br
Tel: +55 (51) 3288.1900
Fax: +55 (51) 3288-1994

General Commander of the Military Brigade of the State of Rio Grande do Sul: Cel João Carlos Trindade Lopes
E-mail: gcg@brigadamilitar.rs.gov.br
Tel: +55 (51) 3288-2711
Fax: +55 (51) 3288-2716

Regional Sheriff of Erechim, Dr. Olinto Gimenes and
First Response Deputy of Erechim:  Dr. Gerson Pacheco
Tel: +55 (54) 3522-1000
Fax: +55 (54) 3519-1950

President of Bank of Brazil: Antonio Francisco de Lima Neto
E-mail: presidencia@bb.com.br
Tel: +55 (61) 3310-3400
Fax: +55 (61) 3310-2502

State Superintendent of Bank of Brazil: Sr. José. Kochhan Sobrinho
Tel: +55 (51) 3358-3400

Regional Superintendent of Bank of Brazil: Sr. João Wilson Gomes Machado
E-mail: joaowilson@bb.com.br
Tel: +55 (54) 3316-6168

Long live the workers!

Thank you in advance for your response to our call for solidarity.

MAB - National Coordination