MST Activist Visits United States

MST ACTIVIST ANDREIA FERREIRA VISITS UNITED STATES

Resisting Rightwing Backlash Amidst
A Latin American Shift to the Left

Andreia Borges Ferreira, of Brazil’s Landless Workers Movement (MST), is coming to the United States between February 21st and March 12th of this year. Andriea comes to us representing the MST’s Education Sector, responsible for the political education of MST members throughout the country. Andreia is in the United States by invitation of the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Florida. The Center is holding its 54th Annual Conference, entitled “Alternative Visions of Development: The Rural Social Movements in Latin America‿.

The MST is the largest social movement in Latin America, with an estimated 2 million members organized in 23 of Brazil’s 27 states. Since 1985, the MST has peacefully occupied unused lands where they have established cooperative farms, constructed houses, schools for children and adults and clinics, promoted indigenous cultures and a healthy and sustainable environment and gender equality.

With Leftist leaders sweeping Latin America’s elections, the MST continues to play a vital role n securing respect for human rights in the Brazilian context. The 2002 election of Brazil’s first ever working class President, Luiz Ignacio ‘Lula’ da Silva, marked a milestone in Latin America’s electoral shift to the left. This year, 11 Presidential elections are to take place across the continent, including a re-election attempt by Lula in Brazil. The MST offers us a unique perspective into the role played by the social movements – resisting rightwing backlash amidst a Latin American shift to the Left.

Friends of the MST nationwide will be hosting Andreia Ferreira in partnership with grassroots organizations, university students and professors, faith-based organizers and other MST supporters. For event details, go to www.mstbrazil.org and click on ‘Upcoming Events’. Join us during any of one these exciting events!