Friday, May 1, 2015

CDP April Theme Day: Revolution

Forty one years ago last saturday, on April 25 1974, a military coup has put an end on forty eight years of dictatorship, on which many lost their lives fighting for freedom, and on thirteen years of a colonial war in Africa - the Carnation Revolution.
Unfortunatelly a couple of decades later a bunch of wannabes who have grown inside the major political parties got into power and have been ruling this country as if it was their farm. Incompetent, greedy and corrupt politicians walked hand in hand with banksters and big economic groups. In 2011 Portugal was one step away from bankrupcy and needed a 78 billion bailout. Therefore, the people had to pay for what those criminals have done and the greatest austeririty ever seen became a reality on everyone's lives. About 350.000, mostly qualified people, left the country and the poors have reached 3 millions. However, the number of millionaires was never so high, showing how 'fair' these political/economic measures are for the 99% of the Portuguese.

Several thousands of protests have taken place. The photos that follow show major marches (civil initiatives) in the last years.


March 2011 (the former PM was finally arrested five months ago)


October 2011 (at the Parliament)


September 2012: largest of all - 1 million on the streets of Lisbon and more than half a million in other cities
(photo taken in front of the IMF office building)


September 2012 (2nd largest protest)


October 2012: standing for the so neglected culture by the government
(The Lisbon Philharmonic Orchestra was performing when I took this shot)


March 2013
*
This is my contribution to the CDP May Theme Day: "Revolution"
Click here to view thumbnails for all participants

33 comments:

Jack said...

JM, you are THE documentarian of the unrest in Portugal. Great photos.

William Kendall said...

Very vivid shots- and perhaps a sense that revolution isn't that distant a thought.

Sylvia K said...

I do hold good thoughts/prayers for your country, Jose! Thank you for this post!!

Denton said...

very powerful post ... I find the most powerful visual to be the dog baring it's teeth with a "true justice" movie sign in the background.

Bob Crowe said...

Brilliant series of photos. I understand. That's the agenda of the Republican Party in this country.

That shot with the soldier, dog and poster is very powerful.

Randy said...

Amazing photos. That dog sure looks mean.

Dina said...

It's a sad story. Good that the people take to the streets to protest.
You photo with the dog should have a prize.

Sami said...

I hope there's an end in sight to all this corruption, mismanagement and bad government, so that young and old can have a decent life again!
When I was there recently I heard that recent University graduates are probably not going to find a job in their field in the next few years, so the only other alternative is to emigrate...
Very sad.

Rob Siemann said...

Throw them all in the sea, fr example from the cliffs in Sagres

Karl said...

Brilliant series with amazing photos. Excellent choice for this theme !

Diane said...

A very powerful post. I wish we could all just live in peace. That dog is very scary! Diane

RedPat said...

An excellent post, JM!

Judy said...

Excellent!

Sharon said...

This has to be the all time best interpretation of the theme. You've document a very real and very recent revolution. The divide between the rich and poor just keeps getting bigger and bigger and way too many politicians seem to think that's a good thing.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

I agree with Sharon, brilliant and relevant post Jose, couldn't be more perfect for the theme.

Bill said...

Powerful post, Jose. The pictures were amazing.

Lois said...

Wow! Great post for the theme this month.

Petrea Burchard said...

That divide is happening in America, too. History has shown that it can't last, revolution must happen. I think it was Mark Twain who said, "History doesn't repeat itself, but it echoes."

Jim said...

A great theme day post.

Beatriz said...

Certamente, um grande dia para lembrar e lutar pelos direitos de todos nós, trabalhadores do mundo! Aqui no Brasil não é diferente, só decepção e muita manifestação pelas ruas....

Grande abraço e bom fim de semana!

Bia <°))))<

Julie said...

It tells the people that something is not above board when the number of millionaires grows, and the number of poor people grows, too, Jose. There is a particular elite, in each country around the world, who have a feeling of entitlement that all the spoils of the work of the poor should first come to them, and THEY will be the ones who determine how much will trickle down to their less powerful countrymen. And they are aided and abetted by the media, and by the church.

EG CameraGirl said...

Super take on the theme, JM. Sadly the rich in every nation walk all over the poor. Greed is so evil!

VP said...

What a parade of sad facts and impressive images! Excellent post, bravo José!

cieldequimper said...

Cool post. Well done!

LOLfromPasa said...

A very well put together post.

Kathy said...

When I saw the revolution theme for City Daily Photo members a couple weeks ago I immediately thought of you, knowing what your country has gone through the past couple of years. You've definitely seen revolution up close. Love all your photos. They remind me of old Life magazines! Truly newsworthy and great photographic examples.

Joan Elizabeth said...

What a great series of shots Jose. I was so impressed with the first one and then each one seemed even more interesting. An especially good take on the theme as well.

Gunn said...

Each of the images are very strong!
Important images!

Babzy.B said...

You've illustrated the topic with brightness ! :)

Birdman said...

You'd be a certified fool to mess with those teeth. Revolt or not.

Halcyon said...

This is a REAL revolution. Nice pictures.

Stickup Artist said...

Viva la revolución!

Lowell said...

I remember some of these terrific photos. Sometimes one must take to the streets to effect necessary changes as the powers-that-be are so corrupted nothing else can be done.