Protesters invade railway and passenger train services are suspended in MG and ES
Protesters have blocked a railway line, leading to the suspension of passenger train services between Belo Horizonte and Cariacica, in Brazil.
In the early hours of Monday, November 9th, protesters invaded the railway tracks of the Vitória a Minas Railway in Tumiritinga, Eastern Minas Gerais, resulting in the suspension of passenger train services in both directions between Belo Horizonte and Cariacica in Espírito Santo. The protest was organized mainly by women from the Landless Workers Movement (MST) as they seek justice and accountability ten years after the Fundão dam disaster in Mariana, which caused significant destruction and loss of life. The demonstrators are frustrated with what they perceive as a lack of accountability in the aftermath of the 2015 tragedy, where many victims have yet to receive compensation for their losses. They assert that, despite a decade having passed, many families still waiting for restitution and justice highlights systemic issues regarding environmental disasters and corporate accountability in Brazil. This protest brings attention to ongoing struggles faced by landless families, underscoring the connection between historical injustices in Brazil's rural context and the current implications for public safety and environmental legislation. The blockade of the railway is a significant disruption to local transportation, emphasizing the protest's urgency and the need for government action to resolve these outstanding issues.