Social Network for Justice and Human Rights
Director of the Social Network for Justice and Human Rights in São Paulo, Brazil and Professor of International Relations at the University of Rio de Janeiro
PROFILE
Maria Luisa Mendonça
Guest
FROM Maria Luisa Mendonça
To the Point
Brazil's Political Crisis and the Olympic Games The upcoming summer games have turned a global spotlight on Brazil, as the elected President is being impeached by legislators more corrupt than she is. Dilma Rousseff's leftist administration is being taken over by a highly unpopular, conservative Vice President, Michel Temer, who's talking about austerity. Political unrest could disrupt the games, and there's dispute whether the flood of tourists and spectators could help spread the Zika virus.
To the Point
Massive Economic Protests as Brazil Readies for World Cup Another wave of protests snarled traffic today in São Paulo, and federal police have been sent to five cities hosting international soccer games. It all started less than two weeks ago with protests against a 10¢ increase in bus fares in São Paulo, Brazil's biggest city. Brutal police repression was shared on social media, and protests spread to other cities, where tens of thousands have turned out in outrage over a whole range of issues, becoming Brazil's biggest upheaval since democracy replaced military dictatorship in 1985. Middle-class professionals are in the streets alongside radicals and university students, to the apparent surprise of elected leaders. We hear about political corruption, the high cost of living and huge public spending for the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games .
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To the Point
California Gets Back into Presidential Politics In 1972, California clinched the presidential nomination for Democrat George McGovern. Since then, the biggest state has become an ATM for candidates of both parties. But starting in 2020 all eyes will be on California as it moves its primary up to a month after the Iowa caucuses.