Social movements and the legislature in the pandemic

Mobilized groups: Women

Petition for emergency basic income

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

In March 2020, shortly after the first public calamity decree, several activist groups, entities and social organizations came together to prepare a basic income proposal aimed at fighting the pandemic . In the future, the idea would be called “emergency aid”, but one of the concerns of the real creators of the proposal was the emptying of the meaning, through the change of the name by the government, because as the saying goes: “everybody wants to have a beautiful son”. be father".

While the groups organized themselves to pressure government officials in favor of this income, both the Executive and Legislative branches also moved in favor of the same cause. Although the basic income petition was launched on March 23, the organization of the proposal had been underway for some time. It was in the context of developing the idea that these movements met with representatives of the Legislature, in order to construct a counter-proposal to a bill from a government-based deputy, which would be deliberated at any time in the Chamber of Deputies.

However, the bill by deputy Eduardo Barbosa was approved on April 26, but with changes, setting the value of R$ 600 per adult, with a maximum of two adults per family and double the value for single mothers, offering opportunity of access to all citizens in informal work, with specific income, in addition to the duration of three months. Later on, new mobilizations would occur.

Manifesto for Transparency and Guarantee of Social Participation in the National Congress' deliberations during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

Manifesto launched during the pandemic caused by Covid-19, aimed at recognizing the need to contain the spread of the disease, including within the scope of the National Congress.

The manifesto was spearheaded by the Parliamentary Front in Defense of Democracy and Human Rights , but signed by various civil society entities, such as the Coalizão Direitos na Rede, Intervozes – Coletivo Brasil de Comunicação Social, #MeRepresenta, Instituto Sou da Paz, Fundação Cidadania Smart, among many others. In all, 84 organizations signed the document.

For social participation in the legislative process

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

The Pact for Democracy is an initiative of Brazilian civil society aimed at defending Brazilian politics and democracy. The group is made up of several organizations, movements and actors and, although it does not act exclusively in the federal legislature, a good part of its actions are aimed at this sphere of power.

In April 2020, the movement released a public note, in which the rite of processing provisional measures during the state of public calamity , especially due to the institution of the remote deliberation system (SDR) in the Legislative Houses. In the manifesto, it was argued that, even in an extraordinary moment such as the pandemic, the participation of civil society in the discussion of projects must be maintained, as provided for in the Federal Constitution.

Warning note on the responsibility of public authorities for preventable deaths by Covid-19

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

Launched by more than 10 civil society entities, the note, headed by the Brazilian Institute for Consumer Protection (IDEC), was published in several Brazilian newspapers, in order to pressure governments to deal seriously with the pandemic caused by Covid. -19.

The note was published, mainly, after the President of the Republic, Jair Bolsonaro, edited a provisional measure (MP) that prevented public agents from being held accountable during the pandemic (MP 966/2020). However, the MP ended up losing its effectiveness, without deliberation in the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate.

Zero Eviction Campaign

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

Campaign launched by more than 40 social organizations and popular movements, aimed at fighting the removal of families and groups from their homes during the pandemic caused by Covid-19. At a time when social isolation was necessary, it was possible to perceive a greater movement of the authorities for the evictions to take place.

However, thanks to the campaign's work, the topic began to be widely discussed within the Legislative – both federal and state. Discussions led to the approval of a bill (PL) that bans evictions in the pandemic .

Democracy at the Tables

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

nas Mesas is a movement made up of more than 40 organizations, aimed at pressuring the federal legislature to commit to social and economic development guidelines.

During the electoral race for the Board of Directors of the Chamber of Deputies and the Federal Senate, Democracia nas Mesas sent letters to all candidates, presenting the agendas of the entities that make up the movement, whose priorities were : the autonomy of the National Congress, the serious fight responsible for the Covid-19 pandemic throughout the country, the protection of the environment and respect for freedoms, diversities and the rights expressed in the Federal Constitution, among other guidelines.

Mobilized groups: Collectives , Social Movements , Women , NGOs , Black Population

Act for the renewal of emergency aid

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

A public act was held in the Green Room of the Chamber of Deputies in February 2021 in defense of the renewal of emergency aid . Organized by the Mixed Parliamentary Front in Defense of Basic Income, the act brought together parliamentarians who are members of the Front and several other social movements, such as those in support of the black population and entities representing students.

In addition to the renewal of emergency aid, the act also served to defend the vaccination of all Brazilians and the expansion of Bolsa Família.

NGOs defend a bill that facilitates partnerships with public authorities in the pandemic

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

In July 2021, the Covid-19 Temporary Commission, of the Federal Senate, held a public hearing aimed at debating the bill (PL) 4113/2020 , which would enable partnerships between the public administration and civil society organizations, especially in a context of public calamity.

Several organizations participated in the hearing and defended the approval of the PL, as a way of guaranteeing legal certainty for these NGOs, in addition to serving to give visibility to other movements and initiatives.

The PL ended up being approved , but unfortunately, it was vetoed in full by President Jair Bolsonaro and the veto is still pending deliberation by the National Congress.

Mobilized groups: Women

August Lilac in the Chamber

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

In 2021, the Women's Secretariat together with the Committee for the Defense of Women's Rights (CMULHER) of the Chamber of Deputies, launched the August Lilac , aimed at debating the issue of violence against women, especially in view of the increase in occurrences during the pandemic.

The campaign was designed together with the NGO Think Olga and based on a report prepared by the NGO, entitled “ Women in Times of Pandemic Report ”.

#DerrubaVetoDemptionZero

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

In September 2021, the Zero Eviction Campaign launched an open letter to the National Congress , mobilizing entities and civil society to pressure parliamentarians to overturn the veto 42/2021, based on the bill (PL) 827/2020, by deputy Natália Bonavides. .

The bill in question was approved in June 2021 and suspends, until the end of the year, evictions due to non-payment of rent.

Mobilized groups: Collectives

Congress overturns veto on zero eviction

Types of mobilization: Social movements and legislative power

After several months of struggle, groups responsible for the Zero Eviction Campaign managed to have the veto 42/2021 ruled in the National Congress.

In the veto session held on Monday (27/09/2021), deputies and senators overturned the veto to PL 827/2021 and, now, the country has a national law that prevents evictions during the remainder of 2021. The overthrow of the veto was the result of actions by social movements and civil society, together with allies within the Legislative Power.

Mobilized groups: Collectives , NGOs

#BudgetForLife

Types of mobilization: Digital activism , Social movements and legislative power , Online protests

Many organizations have launched initiatives to ensure that the federal budget prioritizes fighting the pandemic. On July 14, 2021, they organized the tweet #BudgetSemPovoNuncaMais. In addition, to mobilize for the National Congress to guarantee resources for vaccines: “Vaccines against Covid-19 bring us hope, but there is a great challenge for them to reach all people. The National Congress needs to act fast to protect the population. … The National Congress needs to approve the Emergency Floor in the 2021 Budget, which will guarantee resources for health, social assistance, education and food security in this pandemic year”. Access here.

public policies , health , vaccination