On Thursday, July 14, a group of Young Socialists and representatives of the Editorial Board of Der Funke organised a picket in front of the Brazilian embassy to protest against the threatened repression of the Cipla and Interfibra workers who have occupied their factories to defend their jobs.
There was an information stall and leaflets concerning the situation these workers are facing were distributed. Many people signed our protest resolution and expressed their solidarity with the workers. At the end of the picket the demonstrators demanded a conversation with some officials of the embassy to present their case. The signatures that had been collected as well as a protest resolution signed by a series of trade union activists and Young Socialists were delivered.
One embassy official promised to follow up the case and to get more information. Pressure on the Brazilian authorities will be kept up as long as the state continues to threaten repression against the workers. This picket was only the beginning. Der Funke will organise a broad campaign in solidarity with the struggle of the Cipla and Interfibra workers. Their struggle is our struggle!
Report by Martin Fritzenwanker, Young Socialists Vienna/Alsergrunf