Several marches drew Capixabas people to the streets this Sabbath, August 27. The movement of the project Quebrando o Silêncio denounces psychological violence, especially among the most vulnerable segments of society. In the streets and avenues of several cities in Espírito Santo, Adventists delivered support material to strengthen the debate on the subject. In some cities, legal and psychological professionals gave talks to the community and provided free services.
Northern Espírito Santo
In Linhares, volunteers came from the Adventist church in BNH with posters made and handed out informative pamphlets on the subject. A mini-electric trio accompanied the march to help in the mobilization. As they walked, members of the Adventist Church handed out balloons as a symbolic act to combat violence. Children and teenagers were uniformed as Adventurers and Pathfinders in order to deliver the project material to other children.
Around 10 a.m., the participants concentrated at the Skateboarding Square, on the Green Line, to complete the action. There, four psychologists provided initial care for the community. Cases that needed more care were referred to a free service made available by the Adventist church in the Palmital neighborhood. The structure of the Linhares Blood Bank was set up to collect blood bags from members and interested donors.
In the afternoon, the Adventist church in the district of São José held two lectures with a lawyer and a psychologist to talk about the emotional consequences of psychological violence and the legal steps that can be taken in response. Last week, a demonstration had already been held by Adventists in the central region of Linhares.
"We are going to direct the consultations to one of our churches, which provide free consultations on [Sabbaths]. It is a way of continuing this project [beyond] the month of August," corroborates Janny Sellma Santos, one of the organizers in the city of Linhares.
Another march combated psychological violence, but this time in the city of Colatina. The action unified all the Adventist churches in the city and had as its starting point the Municipal Square; the final concentration was in the Praça do Sol Poente.
During the walk, volunteers also carried banners and posters with educational messages and handed out pamphlets. More than 10,000 printed materials were delivered to adults and children warning against the dangers of violence. The distribution took place in stores and the streets downtown, accompanied by a fanfare with the support of the Desbravadores and Aventureiros.
Some cities bumped up the march to August 20, as in the case of São Domingos do Norte and Nova Venécia. The Venecians carried out a march near the bus station, in the central region of the city, with the support of a mini-electric trio and also Novo Tempo Radio from Nova Venécia. In São Domingos do Norte, the participants walked along the town's main avenue, Avenida Honório Fraga, and even stopped local traffic. The residents were invited to a talk with a psychologist at the José Adão Square.
Great Vitória
In Serra, Great Vitória, at least three points were the focus of marches and mobilization in response to Quebrando o Silêncio. In the district of Vila Nova de Colares, Adventists brought a fanfare to attract residents and deliver educational materials. In the afternoon, it was the turn of the residents of the Carapina neighborhood, who received orientation. In Feu Rosa, the distribution of the material took place in the main square of the neighborhood, accompanied by a lecture on the subject, shortly after 3:30 p.m.
"This movement is of utmost importance to show that we are concerned about the violence that happens around us. We are called to look out for the most vulnerable," says Viviane Zahn, the organizer of the project in the central-northern region of the state of Espírito Santo.