March for Religious Freedom: Standing Firm Against Intolerance in Brazil

Hundreds of practitioners from diverse faiths marched down Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro to support religious freedom. The March for the Defense of Religious Freedom highlighted rising intolerance, especially against Afro-Brazilian religions, and was attended by Brazil's Minister for Human Rights Macaé Evaristo.

Hundreds of practitioners from diverse religious backgrounds marched down Rio de Janeiro's iconic Copacabana Beach on Sunday in a demonstration of support for religious freedom. The event, known as the March for the Defense of Religious Freedom, drew participants from over a dozen faiths, including many Afro-Brazilian religions recently targeted by Christian groups.

Brazil's Human Rights Minister Macaé Evaristo, who joined the march, emphasized the broader struggle against inequality in the country. 'The great challenge today in our country is to reduce inequality,' Evaristo told Agencia Brasil, highlighting the fight for decent work and freedom from hunger.

Experts have noted a disturbing rise in religious intolerance linked to the spread of neo-Pentecostal Christianity in Brazil, particularly in Rio de Janeiro state. Despite constitutional protections, verbal abuse, discrimination, and even the destruction of temples have increasingly targeted African-influenced religions. This march sent a clear message: 'We are standing, we will survive,' said Vania Vieira, a practitioner of Candomblé.

(With inputs from agencies.)