Saturday, March 24, 2012

A Brasileira




Iconic café in downtown Lisbon dating back to 1905

*
Two days ago this place was the stage for police brutality as we haven't seen in years. There is plenty of material on the net but I have chosen this shot showing how this beast in uniform is hitting someone who was just doing her job. Another journalist was severely beaten and taken to a hospital, not to mention the number of injured protesters.


"A policeman strikes AFP photojournalist Patricia Melo during the Portuguese general strike in Lisbon March 22, 2012. Portugal faces a general strike by workers angered by austerity measures imposed as a condition of a 78-billion euro bailout last year but doubts remain as to whether Thursday's stoppage will receive widespread support." [REUTERS/Hugo Correia]

35 comments:

Unknown said...

Such a beautiful place; such a horrible act.

Dina said...

Here in Israel we were busy watching the unfolding violence in Toulouse so we didn't hear about this. The photo you chose is painful. What is it about the sight of a camera and a photographer that arouses the beast in some men?

Kate said...

My goodness! It seems that no-one is safe from violence. Some complain about the relaxation of journalistic standards, but when someone is doing their job in a tradional and acceptable way they should not be subjected to this kind of brutality. I am so sorry to see this happening in your country...anywhere in the "free world," for that matter. I am a firm believer in non-violent protests, with or without a camera!! As a world citizen I protest this brutal action by someone who is supposed to uphold the peace!!

brattcat said...

whenever we forget our humanity and the humanity of those around us civilization slips backward.

cieldequimper said...

Times are hard...

Sharon said...

What a disturbing scene. I'm so afraid for humanity and the direction it is going.

Wayne said...

I was admiring the beauty of the woodwork of the bar, then I saw the 'action' shot, which is very, very disturbing.

Lowell said...

The cafe/bar is absolutely gorgeous and I can see why it is iconic and well-loved.

This photo bespeaks the kind of brutality which has haunted humankind from the beginning. Fearful authorities given authority and the means to carry out that authority often turn into inhumane animals who think they can beat their fear by beating others.

It's just sick.

Lowell said...

I also wanted to mention I've brought all our blogs back home to Blogger...they just didn't work that well on the Weebly site. The Weebly site will continue as a venue for slideshows, galleries and special photography.

Be careful out there!

Kathy said...

You certainly had a front-row seat to this action!

Sylvia K said...

So much of this is happening everywhere these days and it is sad, it's frightening and makes one wonder just what our world is coming to! Your photos say it all, JM! I hold good thoughts for you and for all of our countries! Have a good weekend, be careful, stay safe!

Sylvia

TexWisGirl said...

oh dear. i echo wayne's comment above...

Unknown said...

@Kathy: The 'action' shot is not mine, it's REUTERS'. I wasn't there, I was watching this on tv and I couldn't believe it! Memories from the dictatorship times have just came to my mind.

Stefan Jansson said...

How horrible.

Cezar and Léia said...

I remember passing by this café... It's very stylish.
The uniformed violence is sad...
God bless you!
Cezar

Halcyon said...

Your last shot is quite a contrast to what seem to be good times in the bar. I'm sorry Portugal is having so much trouble and unrest. Things are not well in many places these days.

Carolina Louback said...

A Brasileira está na minha lista de lugares a ir.

Quanto às últimas ocorrências por ti relatadas realmente é um absurdo tal ato de violência.

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh - what a shocking photo!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

Love the shots of the cafe JM, it looks so elegant.
This image above is shocking but I'm guessing everyone's nerves are a little on edge, let's face it journalists aren't always accurate in how they report situations and I guess the police face such a lot in their jobs everyday, sometimes the lines get blurred!

Rob Siemann said...

Well. General strike here next Thursday. Big manifestation just around from where we live. Let's hope it will be more peaceful, although the Barcelona Mossos are known for their brutality

RedPat said...

The location is wonderful and the police violence unfortunately not really shocking. There seems to be certain type of person attracted to police work and often it can bring out an evil streak in them. Not to say that there aren't some wonderful police!

theconstantwalker said...

It's unbelievable to see a photo journalist being beaten for doing her job... Governments are in a panic worldwide... the Cafe looks marvelous JM I hope it's a place people can afford to relax in sooner rather than later..
Take care.

VP said...

There are thugs in uniform, but there are many more without. News everywhere tend to emphasize the bad behavior of the police (rightly) without the same attention for what often causes, if not justifies, it.
A Brasileira is really a wonderful place, outside and inside.

jennyfreckles said...

That's the kind of scene we're more used to seeing in a dictatorship, not a democracy. How sad, and in front of that very beautiful building too.

Kay said...

I also agree with Wayne -- painfully disturbing. . .and I'm glad you weren't on the front row for the last shot. I do hope this isn't the beginning of unchecked violence.

The first three shots are beautiful indeed.

joo said...

The place is lovely, but such a horrible story!

Jack said...

It is a gorgeous place. What a shock to learn about the disturbances. You were in the middle of the action.

Randy said...

The place is lovely. I can't believe they would do this. How can this policeman be proud of hitting a woman.

Gine said...

Un endroit pour prendre le café, comme je les aime. Mais évidemment, la dernière photo est moins engageante. Pourtant, peut-être que la diffusion de tels actes de barbarie finira par être utile, même si ce n'est pas agréable à regarder !
Merci de l'avoir fait.

Joan Elizabeth said...

You have done well with your contrast, make the last shot hit with a shock.

Melbourne Australia Photos said...

Lovely place and photos, and then the last shot winded me! Such a deplorable act... Police are there to protect the public not beat them. Terrible! I hope she took legal action.

Gunn said...

Strong documentary!!!!
Did the policeman loose his job??
Horrible and evil way to act!
Way over the top!!
There are plenty of witnesses....
I hope it will be investigated!

Gunn said...

PS. The bar looks fantastic!:)

Unknown said...

@Gunn: Yes, it's all under investigation. There are plenty of videos and photos on the net and all tv channels repeatedly boadcasted them.

Nathalie said...

Good on you JM for reporting on this event. Even when things get a bit edgy the Police should be able to keep their calm. This is what they are trained for. And attacking the PRESS is UNACCEPTABLE.