Brazil: Online and Offline Protests Against Supreme Court President

A demonstrations demanding that Brazil's Supreme Court President Gilmar Mendes steps down took place in three Brazilian states (Brasília, Belo Horizonte and São Paulo). Around 10,000 people were expected to show up in the simultaneous protests.

Earlier this month, a row between Chief Justice Gilmar Mendes and Joaquim Barbosa, both magistrates of Brazil’s Supreme Court, was broadcast live on television has been denounced as 'shameful' by the press and bloggers, as reported by Global Voices Online.

Some reactions:

1. 
   myris (Brasil) Impeachment ao Ministro Gilmar Mendes? http://bit.ly/eaIL6 #SaiaGilmar (Impeachment against Judge Gilmar Mendes?) 06 May 2009 from web
2. 
   Escalafobetico (Indaial) Daqui a pouco o Gilmar Mendes dá um jeito de foder com a liberdade na internet,aham, #SaiaGilmar (It will not take long for Gilmar Mendes to f••k with freedom on the Internet, aham) 06 May 2009 from twhirl
3. 
   joaoporto (Brasília) Protesto contra Gilmar Mendes em três capitais (demonstrations against Gilmar Mendes in three capital cities) http://tinyurl.com/clmwhn 06 May 2009 from twitterfeed
4. 
   crestani (Brasil) Estou na contramão. Não sou a favor do "fora gilmar" simplesmente porque não se pode expelir fezes sem a participação de órgão apropriado... (I'm against the tides. I don't support the "go away gilmar" simplely because it is not possible to get rid of excrement without the help of relevant organs...) 06 May 2009 from web
5. 
   BrunnaSouza (Goiânia) Campanha: "Ministro Gilmar Mendes saia às ruas e não volte ao STF". http://bit.ly/rFZ1u (Campaign: "Judge Gilmar Mendes go away and do not come back to STF"). 06 May 2009 from web
6. 
   duduziuz (São Paulo) Sucesso para o povo que vai hoje à luta pelo impeachment de Gilmar Mendes! Por um Brasil mais justo #saiagilmar (Wishing success to the people going to the streets to fight for Gilmar Mendes' impeachment! Por um Brasil mais justo #saiagilmar) 06 May 2009 from Mobile Tweete
7. 
   magal (Macaé) Ministro Gilmar Mendes, disse nesta quarta que considera normal manifestações pedindo a sua saída da presidência, pois é saia à rua ministro (judge Gilmar Mendes said this wednesday that he thinks it is normal to have demonstrations calling him to leave the presidency, yeah go to the streets, Mr Judge) 06 May 2009 from web

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Barbosa had accused Mendes of “destroying the credibility of the judicial system” and challenged Mendes to talk to the man on the street, to measure his low level of popularity. Today's protest was "to demand that Mendes do so – and never came back"

The main tag of the day is #foragilmar, but there were also #saiagilmar and #foragilmarday. There is an reactions aggregator and the "Go Away Gilmar" campaign has its own blog in Portuguese.

Some photos by twitpic user proveisso fromthe protest in Brasilia, in front of the Supreme Court buildings:

Brazil: Online and Offline Protests Against Supreme Court President

Featured TwitPics: Heavy rains drench Brazil

Heavy rains have been falling across Brazil today, and Twitterers have been reporting power outages, flooding and other issues as a result. They're also posting TwitPics. Here are a few:


Posted by @rafamonteiro


Posted by @caroleller


Posted by @robertocamarajr


Posted by @lawira

TwitPics compiled by Paula Goes.

Featured TwitPics: Heavy rains drench Brazil

IOC leaves Rio de Janeiro impressed by 2016 Olympic bid

Per Reuters, the International Olympic Committee left its official visit to Rio de Janeiro "impressed" by the 2016 candidate city's bid for the Summer Games. It also said it was content with security plans for the crime-ridden city.

But many Twitterers in Rio are saying that the IOC was tricked into thinking the city is better than it really is.

1. 
   marques_samyn (Rio de Janeiro) O Rio nao tem mais favelas! Ao menos no vídeo exibido para o COI... http://tinyurl.com/cty87e RT @JucaKfouri (Rio has no slums! At least in the video shown to the IOC ... http://tinyurl.com/cty87e RT @JucaKfouri) 30 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   belzinhaaaaa (Rio de Janeiro) @adrianovinagre mas hoje o COI vai ver o lixo debaixo do tapete. o caminho de ônibus até o Engenhão é tão biiiiiito... (@adrianovinagre but now the IOC will see the garbage under the rug. the path of the bus to Engenhão is so biiiiiito ...) 01 May 2009 from web in reply to adrianovinagre
3. 
   PamelaKopp (Rio de Janeiro) Comitê Olímpico Internacional - COI - conhece a cidade dos sonhos de todo carioca. #2016 #fail http://migre.me/PSA (International Olympic Committee - IOC - know the city of dreams throughout Rio. #2016 #fail http://migre.me/PSA) 02 May 2009 from web
4. 
   matheustiburcio (Rio de Janeiro) @JucaKfouri Nós, cariocas, não vamos disfarçar a realidade do RJ. Por acaso o COI viu o velódromo do Pan abandonado? Uma lástima ... (@JucaKfouri We, the people, we will not disguise the reality of RJ. Did the IOC saw the Pan Velódromo the left? A shame ...) 03 May 2009 from web in reply to JucaKfouri
5. 
   mrmarona (Rio de Janeiro) O COI devia verificar tudo o que o Rio prometeu e deixou de fazer na cidade para o PAN. Cada promessa não cumprida, um ponto perdido. (The IOC should verify all that the Rio has promised to do in the city for the NAP. Each promises not fulfilled, a point lost.) 03 May 2009 from web

Not all were negative. Some did tweet support for the bid.

1. 
   ricardosolo (Rio de Janeiro) http://twurl.nl/0zduyn Com certeza uma ótima impressão para o comitê do COI. (http://twurl.nl/0zduyn Definitely a good impression to the committee of the IOC.) 01 May 2009 from twhirl
2. 
   VictorPencak (Rio de Janeiro) Os integrantes do COI estão visitando as instalações esportivas do Rio.Vamos torcer pela nossa cidade! http://migre.me/PsO #Rio2016 #euquero (The members of the IOC are visiting the sports facilities of Rio.Let's go cheering for our city! http://migre.me/PsO #Rio2016 #euquero) 01 May 2009 from TwitterFox
3. 
   mpbella (Rio de Janeiro) He visto a los del COI convencidos... Río va a llegar a Copenhague en primera línea (I have seen the conviction of IOC ... Rio will come to Copenhagen in the front line) 02 May 2009 from web

Rio 2016's official Twitter account, @vivasuapaixao, which translates to "Live your passion" in English, posted updates during the visit.

1. 
   vivasuapaixao (Rio de Janeiro) A presidente da Comissão de Avalição do COI ficou impressionada com a quantidade de pessoas que praticam exercícios na orla de Copacabana. (The chairman of the Commission of the IOC evaluation was impressed with the amount of people who practice exercises on the edge of Copacabana.) 29 Apr 2009 from web
2. 
   vivasuapaixao (Rio de Janeiro) 4 dos 8 membros da Comiissão do COI sentiram a emoção de atirar no stand de Deodoro (4 of 8 members of the IOC COMMISSION felt the thrill of shooting the stand of Deodoro) 01 May 2009 from web
3. 
   vivasuapaixao (Rio de Janeiro) Presidente da Comissão de Avaliação do COI bate bola com Pelé na visita ao Maracanã (President of the IOC Evaluation Commission for hits ball with Pele on visit to Maracanã) 01 May 2009 from web

Rio is hoping to host South America's first ever Games, and is competing with Chicago, Madrid and Tokyo. The winner will be announced in October.

IOC leaves Rio de Janeiro impressed by 2016 Olympic bid

Brazil president blames 'white people' for global crisis

Per the Financial Times, Brazil President Lula da Silva stated that the global financial crisis was the cause of "white people with blue eyes" at a joint press conference with UK prime minister Gordon Brown.

Lula da Silva's comments were enough to stir up conversation on Twitter.

1. 
   jubakun (Brazil) A declaração do presidente Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva de que a crise foi causada por "gente branca de olhos azuis" foi destaque na imprensa. (The statement of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva that the crisis was caused by "blue-eyed white people" were highlighted in the press.) 27 Mar 2009 from Power Twitter
2. 
   price_givens (Location undisclosed) This can't be good for me. Brasil president blames global crisis on white people with blue eyes. http://bit.ly/xRd9 27 Mar 2009 from TweetDeck
3. 
   tsvnq (Sydney, Australia) "White people with blue eyes caused global financial crisis: Brazil President" in SMH http://bit.ly/1K3Mzj Comment: Greedy Bastards! 27 Mar 2009
4. 
   awitz (Minneapolis, Minn.) Watching CNN...Did I really just hear Brazil's pres blame the global economy crisis and "White people. Blue-eyed people." Is it the 1930's? 27 Mar 2009
5. 
   kokupuff (Location undisclosed) Brazil's president is SNAPPING!! Global economic crisis is the fault of "white people with blue eyes" -> http://bit.ly/2ZfEY 27 Mar 2009 from Power Twitter

Brazil president blames 'white people' for global crisis

São Paolo fire documented on Twitter

Per Globo News, five people were injured in a large fire that swept through factories in a somewhat residential area today in São Paolo, Brazil.

News of the fire began to spread on Twitter with this tweet:

1. 
   digoreisnet caralho, deu uma explosão foda agora #diadema #incendio ([expletive], [expletive] explosion now has happened #diadema #fire) 27 Mar 2009 from TweetDeck

The tags #diadema and #incendio (fire) were subsequently used by other twitterers as the story developed and tweeple frantically sought more information.

1. 
   larabrighenti #incendio O incendio está nas proximidades do Extra Anchieta - uma amiga q acabou de chegar,nos contou que a nuvem de fumaça é assustadora! (#fire The fire is near the Extra Anchieta - a friend has just arrived, told us that the cloud of smoke is scary!) 27 Mar 2009 from web
2. 
   sabino que horas começou o incêndio em #diadema? qdo sai de casa eu ñ tinha visto nada =| (what time the fire started in #diadema? qdo ñ leaves the house I had seen nothing = |) 27 Mar 2009 from TwitterFox
3. 
   Teeeetchy #Diadema - Incêndio: Alguém sabe o nome da indústria química? (#Diadema - Fire: What the name of the chemical industry?) 27 Mar 2009 from web
4. 
   tiosamnews #Diadema : Antigamente era só industria. Casas foram sendo construidas ao redor e virou um bairro mixto. (#Diadema: Previously it was just industry. Houses were built around and turned into a mixed neighborhood.) 27 Mar 2009 from web
5. 
   lucasleite Ta forte esse #incendio em #diadema hein (It's strong this #fire in #diadema huh) 27 Mar 2009 from TwitterFox

@danilogordo tweeted a link to this video of the fire: http://migre.me/eYB.

São Paolo fire documented on Twitter

Featured TwitPic: Rain in Brasilia

"Chuva em brasolias." "Rain in Brasilia." (Posted by @gideljr, Brasilia, Brazil, March 25, 2009)

Featured TwitPic: Rain in Brasilia

Brazilians protest 'mild dictatorship' claim

Per Global Voices, hundreds of people gathered in São Paulo today to voice their displeasure with a recent editorial published by Folha de São Paulo.

The editorial compared Venezuela's Hugo Chavez to other South American dictatorships; its use of the word "Ditabranda," roughly "mild dictatorship," to describe previous governments caused the uproar, according to Global Voices.

Many documented today's protest, which took place outside the newspaper's office, through Twitter. The hashtag #ditabranda was used.

Some posted TwitPics from the event, such as @gutocarvalho.


"foto dos participantes do ato #ditabranda" (photo of participants in the act #ditabranda), posted by @gutocarvalho

Several gave a sense of what the protest was all about.

@mariafro (Sampa, Brazil): @rperret muito, muito emocionante, centenas de cidadãos cuja indignação foi transformado em festa e protesto #ditabranda (@rperret very, very exciting, hundreds of people whose anger was transformed into celebration and protest #ditabranda)

@heliopaz (Brazil): #ditabranda: Manifestar-se é fundamental. Resistir, reagir, agir é tudo. Os esforços pelo país são grandes. Porém, o resultado é inócuo. (#ditabranda: To express oneself is fundamental. Resist, react, act and everything. Efforts by the country are great. But the result is innocuous.)

The protest introduced at least one person to the Twitterverse.

@ericaminha: Sou nova no twitter... e o ato contra a #ditabranda em frente a FSP, alguém tem notícias, informacoes, fotos? (I'm new to Twitter ... and act against #ditabranda in front of the FSP, someone has news, information, photos?)

Many noted that the protest had been organized entirely through the Internet.

@joildo (São Paulo, Brazil): A materialização de um protesto organizado a partir da internet RT @gutocarvalho http://twitpic.com/1wijq (The realization of an organized protest from the internet RT @gutocarvalho http://twitpic.com/1wijq #ditabranda)

@lucila (Natal, Brazil): rt @gutocarvalho #ditabranda, tudo feito em menos de 1 semana, informações circulando de forma independente na internet com liberdade! (rt @gutocarvalho #ditabranda, all done in less than 1 week, information circulated on the Internet independently with freedom!)

Brazilians protest 'mild dictatorship' claim

Church addresses abortion by 9-year-old in Brazil

Per AFP, "BRAZIL's influential Catholic Church today raged against an abortion carried out on a nine-year-old girl who had been pregnant with twins after allegedly being raped by her stepfather."

According to the article, archbishop Father Jose Cardoso Sobrinhoalso, terminated the medical team and the girl's mother for assisting in the abortion.

Many Twitterers criticized the church's decision.

@loiane (Vitória - ES): Se eu fosse da igreja desse arcebispo eu parava de frequentar! Na minha igreja aborto tb é pecado, mas nesse caso entenderam, ainda bem! (If I were archbishop of the church that I stopped attending! In my church tb abortion is sin, but in this case understood, good!)

@matt02 (São Paulo): Igreja Católica excomungou os médicos do aborto e a mãe da garota, mas o padrasto NÃO. Acho ótimo. (Catholic Church the curse of abortion doctors and the mother of the girl, but NOT the stepfather. I feel great.)

@FellowDFBR (Brasilia): como a Igreja Católica é hipócrita, excomungar os médicos por terem feito o aborto de uma criança de 9 anos, vítima de abuso do padrasto... (as the Catholic Church is hypocritical, defrock the doctors for making abortion a child of 9 years, father of the victim of abuse ...)

@MeEloise: Catholic Church in Brazil excommunicated all involved with making sure a 9-year old rape victim got a legal abortion. But not the rapist.


But not all seemed opposed to punishing those involved in the abortion.

@bastos_mario (Brazil): Uma criança de 9 anos fazer aborto é um absurdo. Mais absurdo e igreja excomungar fiéis que ajudaram a garota nessa situação. (A child of 9 years to abortion is absurd. More absurd and defrock church believers who helped the girl in this situation.)

Church addresses abortion by 9-year-old in Brazil

Google Outage: Twitterverse reacts

Per PC Magazine, Google's own-brand email system Gmail was hit was an outage early on Tuesday morning, a problem which took several hours to resolve. Here's the official Google explanation for this morning's problems.

To show the near-ubiquitous nature of Gmail and Google, here's how 7 Twitter users in 7 different countries responded in 7 different languages (translations by Google, of course!):


@shintajiri (Tokyo, Japan) Gmail 世界規模で障害？ まだ影響は出ていないみたい (Gmail failure on a global scale? I still will not affect the)




@jarofed (Kiev, Ukraine) за результатами сьогоднішніх ранкових подій Gmail тепер потрібно називати не інакше, ніж Gfail... (the results of today's morning events Gmail now need to call no differently than Gfail)




@ladyrasta (Sao Paolo, Brazil) é o apocalipse chegando...(tenho medo de ter emails importantes no gmail e não poder acessá-los...) (the apocalypse is coming ... (afraid to have important emails in gmail and can not access them ...)




@Carcadons (Bologna, Italy) ha avuto attimi di panico con Gmail down per ben due ore. (had moments of panic with Gmail down for two hours ....)




@bonarni (Copenhagen, Denmark) 113.000.000 mennesker verden over kan ikke bruge GMail lige nu. Google "is working hard to resolve this problem" - forståeligt nok..! (113,000,000 people around the world can not use GMail right now. Google "is working hard to resolve this problem" - understandably enough ..!)




@tassaramar (Buenos Aires, Argentina) A la mañana no pude entrar a Gmail y pensé en formatear la compu. Resulta que el problema era de Google, pero en su blog no decía nada..(In the morning I could not go to Gmail and I thought of formatting the computer. It turns out that the problem was Google, but his blog did not say anything ..)




@marccc (Paris, France) Il parait que Gmail était down. J'ai rien vu. Ca a du bon de dormir toute la journée ! (It seems that Gmail was down. I have not seen anything. It's good to sleep all day!)

Google Outage: Twitterverse reacts