Carters block Recife roads in protest at repeal of law

Carters block Recife roads in protest at repeal of law

Carters block Recife roads in protest at repeal of law

Carters protest in Recife

Understand the carters' protest

On Monday (18), several roads in Recife were taken over by simultaneous demonstrations by cart drivers. The movement, which had already been organized for a few weeks, gained momentum after the intensification of enforcement of Law 17.918/2013, which restricts the use of animal-drawn vehicles in urban areas. According to the organizers, more than 300 carters took part in the blockades, interrupting traffic at strategic points in the Pernambuco capital.

What were the main blocking points?

Among the most affected places were Avenida Agamenon Magalhães, one of the city's main road corridors, as well as Avenida Norte, Avenida Sul and the José de Barros Lima Bridge. Motorists reported traffic jams of up to three hours, and bus passengers had to get off and walk to their appointments. The mobilization also had repercussions in adjacent neighbourhoods, impacting the flow in residential and commercial areas.

What the cart drivers are demanding

According to the movement's leaders, the category is not against the modernization of the city, but is asking for concrete alternatives. They demand the repeal of the current law or at least the creation of transitional public policies. Among the demands put forward are professional training programs, incentives to replace carts with motorized vehicles and health cards for horses, guaranteeing better animal welfare conditions.

Social and economic impacts

The cart drivers argue that the activity is, for many, their only source of livelihood. Entire families depend on collecting recyclables and transporting goods with draft animals. The ban, without a viable alternative, could drive hundreds of workers into extreme informality. In addition, the protest is rekindling the debate on the cultural preservation of the figure of the cart driver, who is part of the identity of several urban communities.

The authorities' response

Recife City Hall said that it is maintaining an open dialog with the category, but reinforced the need to comply with current legislation. The municipal administration stressed that the aim of the law is to ensure greater safety in traffic and to reduce the mistreatment of animals. The demonstrators claim that they were not properly heard in the drafting of the law and demand an immediate hearing with Mayor João Campos.

The future of urban mobility

Experts point out that the impasse highlights the lack of inclusive urban planning. While modern cities seek sustainable mobility alternatives, workers who use animal traction find themselves marginalized. The solution, according to analysts, lies in public policies for productive inclusion, microcredit programs and technical assistance so that these professionals can reinvent themselves in the market.

Quick quiz

Question: Why did the cart drivers take to the streets in protest?

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