Practitioners of different religions came together today (21), at Aterro do Flamengo, in the south zone of Rio de Janeiro, in an act to ask for greater control of firearms. Catholics, Evangelicals, Candomblecists, Umbandists, Kardecists, among others, were present. Victims of violence and their families also participated. According to the latest Brazilian Public Security Yearbook, published by the non-governmental organization Brazilian Public Security Forum, intentional violent deaths claimed 47,503 victims in 2021, with 76% of cases involving the use of a firearm. A survey by the Fogo Cruzado Institute points out that, last month, 20 people were injured by stray bullets in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro. Of this total, nine died. The demonstration “The strength of faith in the control of firearms” was convened by Viva Rio, a movement that since 1993 has been carrying out activities to contain violence in the Rio de Janeiro capital. In recent days, different religious leaders have called for the act in videos published through social networks. “No God has ever signed any declaration of war. No God approves of prejudice, intolerance, violence. It was our human hands that did this and now these same hands, together and united with the strength and blessings of the sacred, need to solve this”, said teacher and babalorixá Márcio de Jagun. Messages were also shared by Father Monsenhor Luiz Antônio, coordinator of the slums pastoral care of the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, and by Pastor Celso, from the Assembly of God Church of São Cristóvão, in the north zone of the Rio de Janeiro capital. According to Viva Rio, the act marks the beginning of a national campaign for gun control in the country, in partnership with other civil society institutions. The institution demands public security that is more focused on intelligence activities, breaking with the circle of shooting. “We have to stop these absurd shootings that terrify children, take the lives of innocent people and destroy entire families. Peace is entirely possible”, said Sebastião Santos, founder and institutional relations director of Viva Rio. During the demonstration, he asked that the cause be embraced by all. “I am fully convinced that there is another possible world, another possible society, another possible Rio de Janeiro. Every heart that is here has a mustard seed that can turn us into a revolutionary for peace, ”he said. The act’s program included musical performances by groups and artists linked to religions, such as Umbanda singer-songwriter Malone Abalim and the Ruth Dóris Lemos Missionary Symphonic Band, from the Evangelical Assembly of God Church of Fonseca, in Niterói (RJ). In partnership with the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, vaccination tents were set up against covid-19 and the flu. The program also included activities for children and a campaign to collect clothes and coats for donation.
Agência Brasil
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