São Paulo, 4/7/2004 (Agência Brasil) – Members of the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST) held a number of demonstrations around the country yesterday. The biggest protests were in São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul.

In the city of President Prudente, state of São Paulo, some 2,500 MST members called for a speedy land reform.

In the state of Rio Grande do Sul there were a number of protests. In Pelotas, 500 demonstrators demanded basic food baskets, more financing for land reform and a pardon for farm debts due to drought in the state. In Bagé, protesters also demanded action to deal with farmer losses because of the drought. In Porto Alegre, the state capital, demonstrators closed off highways as they demanded more funding for land reform. Around the state a number of highways were blocked by the demonstrators.

Minister of Political Coordination, Aldo Rebelo, declared that the government will not tolerate lawlessness. He said the government respects social movements, such as the MST, but will insist that they respect the law. (Translator: Allen Bennett)