Sunday, September 18, in Copacabana
The Commission for Combating Religious Intolerance (CCIR) and the Center for the Articulation of Marginalized Populations (KEAP) conduct 15th walk in defense of religious freedom, it’s September 18, SundayStarting at 10:00, at Post 5, on Copacabana Beach.
During the last 15 years, the Walk in Defense of Religious Freedom has drawn the attention of civil society and public authorities to undemocratic dangers, given the increase in cases of religious intolerance.
As pointed out by Prof. Dr Babalawo Ivanir dos Santos, in his book “Marching is not walking”, religious “conflicts and disputes” have never ceased to be part of social transformations. Yes, they never left because there is no unity for religions and religions, whether here in Brazil or anywhere else in the world.
However, in Brazil, religious conflicts, or rather, religious INTOLERANCE, go hand in hand with racism and all forms of prejudice. And, in this symbiosis, religious intolerance is being camouflaged daily, according to personal opinion, within every society.
On Sunday, the entire route will feature the participation of various cultural groups, such as Banda Omi Okun, Marquinhos Oswaldo Cruz, Grupo Awurê, Regional Biguá, among other attractions. Alongside the presentation of various religious segments, in an electric trio.
The event is traditionally held always on Sunday, September 3in Copacabana, where it has already been established in Brazil and especially in the city of Rio de Janeiro, as one of the most precise actions in defense of religious freedom and the secular state.
“In addition to projecting light and reflections for the promotion of a more humane, plural and diverse society, it also fights for the strengthening of the democratic bases that are still part of our society”, defends Ivanir dos Santos – interlocutor of CCIR.
How did the act come about?
– Without political or party flags, the Walk in Defense of Religious Freedom appeared in 2008, as a reaction to the episodes of religious intolerance that occurred in Morro do Dendê, on Ilha do Governador. At that time, adherents of African-based religions were expelled from the community by the drug dealer Fernandinho Guarabu, who, at the time, commanded the local drug trade and prevented them from wearing their religious robes and beaded beads. Thus, after several public demonstrations, in defense of religious freedoms and rights of personal worship, associated with different religious beliefs, defenders of diversities and members of social groups began to unite and meet annually for the sake of tolerance, equality and plurality . that, together, they began to hold the largest interfaith event in Brazil.
In addition to the Walks, the religious created the Commission for Combating Religious Intolerance (CCIR), which became an important instrument to welcome and denounce crimes of religious intolerance. The only one in the world that has at its core some religious worshipers, aims to accept in the 15th edition about 100 thousand people, in favor of pluralities, humanities and religious freedom, among representatives of Candomblé, Umbanda, evangelical bases, Catholics , Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans, Hare Krishnas, Gypsies, Mormons and other segments. Also present are representatives from other regions, coming from Bahia, Mato Grosso do Sul, Minas Gerais, PS and Amazonas.
THE SERVICE
The 15th walk in defense of religious freedom
Location: Copacabana waterfront
Day: September 18 (Sunday) – 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m
Concentration at Post 5, from 10:00
Departure from the walk, starting at 2 p.m., continues to Praça do Lido, ending at 5 p.m.
There will be security support, an ambulance and chemical toilets
