In Brazil, women chained to seat of government against ousting Rousseff

A group of women chained themselves today (May 12) to the bars surrounding the Planalto palace, the seat of government, after President Dilma Rousseff left the building. "We'll stay here until someone removes us," said journalist Bia Barbosa, who explained that the collective is made up of women from different organizations.

"We do not recognize the legitimacy of Michel Temer's government. We consider that this process is the result of a coup and it is important to symbolize the resistance offered throughout Brazil," said Bia. For her, Rousseff was suspended also for being a woman," and the women's rights will be affected by this government in case it is consolidated after the [impeachment] process is concluded at the Senate," he added.

Chained to the bars and sitting on the floor, they held banners forming sentences like "Resistance against the coup."

In the list of new ministers released by the vice-president, there is no name for the Ministry of Women, Racial Equality, and Human Rights. Moreover, no woman has been appointed as minister for the interim government.

The women are still chained and they said their act is full of "symbolism" because Rousseff was “forced” to leave the Planalto palace, and they would also only leave the place if forced to do so.

Translated by Amarílis Anchieta