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1995, Aug. 9 |
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At least 10 killed, 75 missing, and 350 arrested when police violently evicted 1,300 landless farmers who had occupied a 40,000-acre estate in the northern state of Rondônia and ignored a court order to vacate the property. The level of police violence created public sympathy for the growing Landless Movement. Later in the year (Dec. 16) Manoel Ribeiro, a politician in Rondônia known for his support of the landless, was shot dead. | 1 |
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1996, April 17 |
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Police in the Amazonian state of Pará opened fire on a group of protesters belonging to Brazil's Landless Movement (MST), killing at least 19 and injuring at least 50 others. Police claimed protesters fired shots first but a video of the attack aired nationwide (April 18) contradicted police accounts. | 2 |
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1997, April 17 |
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Two-month-long march by members of the Landless Movement culminated in Brasília, where marchers were joined by tens of thousands of demonstrators calling for land reform. | 3 |
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May 21 |
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Preliminary congressional approval of an amendment to allow reelection was marred by evidence that two deputies accepted bribes to vote for amendment. Despite scandal, the amendment became law (June 5), opening the way for Pres. Cardoso's reelection. | 4 |
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Nov. 10 |
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Pres. Cardoso announced a stringent austerity program of tax hikes and spending cuts aimed at reducing budget deficit and restoring investor confidence. | 5 |
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