Revoked law that ignores the name of a black leader is deliberated and the project goes to the CCJ, in Manaus
August 3, 2021
10:08
Bruno Pacheco – From Cenarium
MANAUS (AM) – After causing dissatisfaction in members of the black movement in Amazonas, a law that changes the name of the square Nestor Nascimento to Oscarino Peteleco, shall be revoked. The City Council of Manaus (CMM) deliberated, on Monday, 2, a project that revokes the Law No. 2.767/2021 that defined the change. The square is located on Avenida Japurá, in the Praça 14 neighborhood, South-Central zone of the capital.
In the same regular session, the councilors deliberated a Law Project (PL) that recognizes the name of the public park as Nestor Nascimento, considered a precursor of social causes focused on the black movement in the Amazon. The measures, however, still go to the 2nd Committee on Constitution, Justice and Drafting, where they must be analyzed and, subsequently, go through a new vote in the Plenary of the Legislative House.
For the president of the National Institute Afro Origin (Inaô) and leader of the black movements in Amazonas, Christian Rocha, revoking the law means keeping the memory of the man who fought for a harmonious society and who left disciples all over the state.
“This repeal is a door that we have been knocking for years and that has now been opened, so that we can show our demand, our knowledge. It was never a request for help, but a request for respect for constitutional demands in any area of society. I just have to thank all the media that raised our voice”, he explained.
Christian also criticizes the lack of space for the black movement in Manaus to raise agendas. According to him, black leaders and representatives have no voice in the municipal parliament. “The black movement woke up at a moment when it could no longer stand not being part of any kind of agenda of any politician,” he pointed out.
Understanding
Last week, the Manaus City Hall sanctioned the Law No. 2.767/2021, which changed the name of the square Nestor Nascimento to Oscarino Peteleco. The law was proposed by councilman David Reis (Avante), which ignores the name of one of the greatest representatives of the black fight in Amazonas, born and raised in the Praça 14, Nestor Nascimento, who was the founder and president of the Movimento Alma Negra (Moan), the first organization focused on black causes in the state.
Nestor was also the president of the Civil Rights Institute (IDC) of Amazonas, and the leader responsible for mobilizing the black population of Amazonas to participate in the social movement. Because of his influence, Nestor Nascimento was even invited by the then president of the United States of America (USA) Bill Clinton, in 1997, to discuss human rights.
The name change of the square was criticized by activists and representatives of the black movement of Manaus, which pressured the City Hall and made the attorney general of Manaus, Marco Aurelio Choy, announce that the measure would be revoked.
Even so, the vigilance about the case was maintained and, on Wednesday afternoon, 28, activists and representatives of the movement gathered in a meeting to celebrate the history of struggle and resistance of one of the greatest leaders in the fight against racism in Amazonas: Nestor Nascimento.
See also: Movement makes ‘sarau da resistência’ in Manaus after law ignores importance of black leader
The meeting took place in the square named after Nestor, in the neighborhood Praça 14, in the south of Manaus, and included presentations of maracatu, capoeira, hip hop and samba.