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Looking backward and forward at political power and Boston's elite law firms
This could be the big one
Central Plaza Lot
Which People's Republic?
Learning from the Goldschmidt Report: Land Reform and American Agriculture
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When the silent women cried out
When the silent women cried out There reigned a *deathly* silence... Around 45,000 acres of land stolen from the Tupi-Guarani, 10,000 Quilombola (African slaves descendants) families chased out of their territories, And millions of gallons of herbicide sprayed on the crops.
There reigned an embarrassed silence... Around the chlorine used to bleach paper That gave out carcinogenic toxins, Threatening plants, animals and people. Around the disappearance of over 400 species of birds And more than 40 groups of mammals From the Northern part of the State of Espirito Santo.
There reigned an insurmountable silence About the nature of that plant Requiring 8 gallons of water a day, Yet never flowering or going to seed. Around a plantation earning billions And billions of dollars, For a mere half-dozen men only.
There reigned a thick silence Around thousands of acres accumulated In the States of Espirito Santo, Minas, Bahia and Rio Grande do Sul.
There reigned a complicit silence Around the destruction of the Mata Atlantica and the pampas For the sole cultivation of the Eucalyptus tree.
There reigned a bribed silence Around the immensity of the profits. Yes, a global silence Around the Swedish backers, The Norwegian businesses, The great National Banking system.
Finally, There existed a vast green desert In unison with all that silence.
But all at once, Thousands of silent women united And shattered oppression and deceit.
Silent women cried out, suddenly. And just as suddenly The bourgeoisie's laughter turned into terror, Cringing and confusion.
In disbelief the establishment arose Singing the praises of progress and science Hurling out insults, Obscenities and profanities.
Newspapers, Radios, Magazines, The Internet and Television, Talk show hosts, Smooth-talking businessmen, Grovelling advisers, Well-meaning technicians, Shaken governments, The clamoring Right And all the Center Extremists Echoed back, through meetings and bulletins, In a united chorus To defend the Capital: "These women can't speak up !" And they screamed "Off with their heads !"
Suddenly, All at once, Thousands of women Destroyed the silence.
On that day, In the land of Aracruz, The women from Via Campesina Were our actions. They were our voices.
—Manifesto in solidarity with the peasant women of Via Campesina, Brasil, April 17, 2006 —from ATTAC/France —translated by Catherine Hammond