December 17, 2007 Dear Sisters and Associates, The Brazilian Federal Government is beginning the controversial development of one of the great rivers of Brazil, the 870 miles long Rio São Francisco, whose integrity is of vital importance to the poor people living along its margins, the most hurt by this enterprise favoring the interests of multinational companies. I ask each of you to read the text below and join in countering this decision by sending an email to President Luís Inácio Lula da Silva – who thanked with emotion in his inaugural speech the humble people who elected him – by submitting an email message at the following address: www.umavidapelavida.com.br [For more information online, please visit the following addresses, among others: www.fas.usda.gov/pecad2/highlights/2001/08/BR_Transport/BR_TRANS.htm – The São Francisco River has been dammed into a 1400 kilometer long waterway – and also www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=14004755 – Brazil River Dispute Highlights Larger Issue] With esteem, Sister Maria Helena Carvalho, SFP ________________________________ His Excellency Mr. Luís Inácio Lula da Silva, President of Brazil Dear Mr. President Silva, I am well aware that the Brazilian Federal Government is undertaking the development of the São Francisco River, in grave detriment of the humble and chastised river banks in Central and Northeastern Brazi, while favoring the interests of great multinational companies and doubtlessly causing an irreversible environmental impact in the near future. I hereby wish to present my rejection against this precipitated action by your government, which has even required the intervention of the Brazilian Army for its perpetration, and in full support of the hunger strike by Bishop Dom Frei Luís Flávio Cappio, O.F.M., I request your reconsidering your support to such an unpopular initiative. Please, accept my protest and my consideration and respect for the high designs you have vowed as a chief of State to defend the most humble whom, in your own inaugural address, you have recognized as having so trusted you in two-term elections. ( Signed )
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