Students block viaduct in new protest due to Rio Branco's public transport crisis

Students protest again and close viaduct due to the transport crisis in Rio Branco Students from the Federal University of Acre (Ufac) protested again for the third time in two days, against the crisis in public transport in Rio Branco this Wednesday afternoon (15). The demonstration took place at the bottom of the Complexo Viário, in the center of Rio Branco. The act continued until early Wednesday evening. ? Join the g1 AC channel on WhatsApp With posters and banners criticizing the capital's public transport system, student movements demand immediate measures from Rio Branco City Hall to guarantee students' travel to the university. (Watch the video above) Ufac students protested this Wednesday (15) at the Rio Branco Road Complex Photo: Pedro Marcelo/Rede Amazônica Acre Member of the Student Connection Movement, Danton Moura stated that the protesters decided to organize the new act after, according to him, they had not received a definitive solution to the problems faced by public transport users. He was one of those involved in the confusion between protesters and city hall security guards this Monday (13). "We were already removed by the police during the demonstration and there was a promise that 100 buses would be circulating around the city. This is the second time that this promise has not been fulfilled. We want the mayor to make this commitment publicly, not in a closed meeting", he said. READ MORE: Ufac students approve strike after crisis in public transport in Rio Branco Public transport crisis: Less than half of the fleet operates in Rio Branco; see lines Passengers face delays after the seizure of part of the bus fleet in Rio Branco: 'We want a solution' g1 contacted the Rio Branco City Council and, until the last update of this report, had not received a response. The demonstration did not cause congestion, but it caused slow traffic, as the passage is crucial around the center of the capital. Protests The act took place one day after a demonstration in front of Rio Branco City Hall, which ended in confusion and attacks between students and municipal employees. The occasion occurred on Monday (13). In a previous note, the City of Rio Branco informed that it respects the act but does not condone the invasion of a public building and attacks. On the morning of this Wednesday (15), a group of the same students blocked the entrance and exit to the campus of the Federal University of Acre (Ufac), on BR-364, preventing the movement of vehicles and causing congestion in access to the university. Ufac students had already protested against the public transport crisis in Rio Branco this Tuesday (14) Lucas Thadeu/Rede Amazônica According to student Leonardo Maia, a member of the movement, this Tuesday's protest was not initially planned, but was motivated by the call for an extraordinary meeting of the University Council (Consu) to discuss the losses faced by students due to the lack of transport. Among the demands is the adoption of an atypical academic semester, a measure that, according to students, would avoid academic losses for those who stopped attending classes due to mobility difficulties. "Those who aren't coming to class aren't because they don't like studying. It's because they can't access the university, as there is no public transport working properly in the city," he stated. Students and city hall employees exchange aggression during protest in Rio Branco The student also criticized the promises made during a meeting held on Monday (13), at the Rectory of Ufac, between representatives of the student movement, the university, RBTrans and the State Court of Auditors (TCE-AC). According to him, the promise of expanding the fleet from next weekend no longer convinces students. "We've been hearing that 'next week it will get better' for six years. There has come a time when we can no longer wait while we lose the right to study," he said. Developments In a statement released after the episode, City Hall stated that it did not condone the invasion of public buildings and attacks. According to the Executive, a committee of students already had an appointment to be received when part of the protesters tried to enter the building by force. Also on Monday, representatives from City Hall, RBTrans, the Rectory of Ufac, the State Court of Auditors and the student movement participated in a meeting to discuss emergency alternatives for public transport. During the meeting, RBTrans informed that it had started negotiations with the company responsible for the service to expand, on an emergency basis, the fleet of lines that serve Ufac and the Federal Institute of Acre (Ifac), especially during times of greatest demand. Ufac repudiates violence Also on Monday, Ufac released a statement condemning the attacks recorded during the protest in front of city hall. The university stated that the student mobilization represents a legitimate demand for dignified conditions of access and permanence in higher education and highlighted that any episode of violence against students while exercising their right to demonstrate is unacceptable. The institution also reiterated its commitment to defending human rights, the integrity of the academic community and the search for solutions to the problems faced by the population of Acre in relation to public transport. "The University stands in solidarity with the students involved and reaffirms its commitment to the defense of human rights, the integrity of its academic community and the construction of solutions to the problems that affect the population of Acre", he added. Review Acre’s news programs