Brazilian lawmakers honor June festivals and Afro‑Brazilian terreiros

Councilman Zé Lopes of Rio Branco, Acre, used a municipal session to praise the city’s June festivals, noting their cultural significance and year‑round economic impact. He honored the champion quadrilha Sassaricano na Roça and recognized the many professionals—from musicians to costume makers—who sustain the tradition, urging continued support for popular culture.

In the Federal District, the Legislative Chamber held a solemn ceremony honoring leaders of Afro‑Brazilian terreiros. Proposed by deputy Fábio Felix, the event highlighted the spiritual, administrative and social roles of terreiro members, condemned religious intolerance, and referenced the recently approved District Law 7.226/2023 that establishes a program to combat religious racism. Participants emphasized the importance of these spaces for marginalized communities and their broader contribution to Brazilian society.