RICHMOND, Va. (WTVR) -- Brazilians across the United States are beginning to hold their own events as a show of support for the thousands of people protesting in Brazil.
Monroe Park in Richmond was just one of the many locations.
CBS 6 News’ Joe St. George reported that nearly a hundred Brazilians from Central Virginia gathered to show solidarity for the ongoing protests in the country.
"We want to support our Brazlian people who have been protesting," Jerry DeOliveira, an event organizer, told the crowd.
For the last week, hundreds of thousands of Brazilians poured into the streets to protest bus fee increases, alleged government corruption and the lack of spending on programs for the poor.
Richmond has over 3,000 native Brazilians and the event was to enable their voice to be heard.
“We want people to know that Brazil has some needs and basic needs and Brazil needs some change and the change needs to be done now,” said Jerry Peoliveira, an event organizer.
Brazil will be in the international spotlight in the next couple of years, which is one of the reasons why these protests are making headlines.
The Pope is making a historic visit there next month, the World Cup will be held there next year, and the Olympics will be held in the nation in 2016.
Paloma Schimanski is a 26-year-old VCU student who came to America to learn English who also helped organize the event. Her dream is to return to her homeland, only with improved economic conditions.
"When I see American TV, I say, 'I want that life, I don't want the life Brazil gave to me,'" Schimanski said.
