On May 1, 1979, Brazil saw one of its largest labor protests under the military dictatorship, and Afro-Brazilian workers played a prominent role. For decades, Afro-Brazilians had been excluded from unions and public life, but this May Day, Black leaders took the stage to demand racial inclusion in labor policies. The protest also gave rise to the formation of several Afro-Brazilian labor rights organizations, including initiatives linked to cultural preservation like capoeira schools and Candomblé rights. It was a milestone for racial justice in Brazil, pushing the labor movement to confront internal racism and align more closely with Black identity politics.
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