The CDU held a political initiative today at the Santo da Serra Market to highlight “the importance of highlighting the struggles the population have with social, political, economic and cultural rights in the Autonomous Region of Madeira.”
Saying that “it was worth fighting, Edgar Silva, regional coordinator of the PCP, recalled that it was necessary to fight for people’s rights when the Santa Cruz City Council wanted to remove the stallholders from the Santo da Serra market and destroy their livelihoods.
On the days when the Santa Cruz City Council wanted to close the Feira do Santo, the CDU gathered the stallholders and organised a demonstration to prevent further injustices.
“The Chamber of Santa Cruz insisted on closing the market space due to arrears in rent payments. In response, the CDU demanded that the chamber review its position on its decision to close the market space.
The Mayor of Santa Cruz “and his henchmen tried to drive people away.” Different political parties used the police to prevent the demonstration and tried to frighten the market’s stallholders. However, we were victorious but the struggle remains the same.
“Without the struggle we would have lost our rights! If it weren’t for the strength of our struggle, today there would be no Feira do Santo da Serra! So we are here to remind you that it was worth fighting for!
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
