Jan 20

Jan 20 #228 | More Love, Less Capital w/ Mirna Wabi-Sabi, André Miguéis, & Elisa Quadros

Mirna Wabi-Sabi, André Miguéis, Elisa Quadros

André Miguéis: 32:56 | Elisa Quadros: 38:10

In this episode, I speak with André Miguéis and Elisa Quadros — radical political organizers of the ‘More Love, Less Capital (Mais Amor, Menos Capital)’ event in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, recorded on December 20th, 2019. This is the first episode featuring interviews conducted from Brazil in collaboration with Mirna Wabi-Sabi — political theorist, journalist, and editor at Gods & Radicals Press.

This episode begins with a 30-minute discussion between myself and Mirna on our impressions of ‘More Love, Less Capital,’ including what the event is serving in the broader struggle against capitalism and the right-wing political system in Brazil, especially under the neofascist presidency of Jair Bolsonaro. We contextualize the importance of this event in building solidarity outside the centers of power in Brazil, as has been demonstrated since its fiery beginnings during the large-scale protests and occupations in 2013. From there, we present interviews with André Miguéis from Collective Independent Media (MIC), who discusses the radical origins of ‘More Love, Less Capital’ and its ultimate purpose in building solidarity from the ground up; and with Elisa Quadros, an anarchist activist that tells her story of being made one of the most infamous dissidents and political prisoners in Brazil due to relentless persecution by the media, the police, and clandestine paramilitaries since her involvement in the mass protests of 2013. André and Elisa’s experiences reveal something of the nature the political centers of power in the country, whether that be of the establishment Left (the PT Party) or the more conservative and fascist elements currently in power in Brazil.

Mirna Wabi-Sabi was the interpreter for these interviews and recorded much of the footage of the event, and none of this would have been possible without her. Learn more about her work: https://medium.com/mirna-wabi-sabi

Special thanks to Nora Lynn Kommer for her help in recording as well.

Episode Notes:

- Read Mirna Wabi-Sabi's accompanying article 'Learning to organize in a time of repression, climate crisis, and war' at Gods & Radicals Press: http://bit.ly/37cwcYu

- Video of speech referenced in the introduction by Mirna: https://youtu.be/rPtXyxBIVvs?t=60