Stories of Paraná - The hands of the Governor

Stories of Paraná - The hands of the Governor

The hands of the Governor
Elizabeth M Azevedo

The battles between the state and the teachers have always been memorable in Paraná. Strikes, demonstrations, caravans and camping in front of the Palace Iguaçu punctuate the history of wage demands.
Over the years, been growing grievances of both sides, and also came the recognition of the parties by the difficulties and problems that each side faced, the state government grappling with a recession economy and teachers without having to support their families.
Nobody was unhurt, is true.
Today, in a more quiet, you can even remember facts hilarious.
During the government of José Richa, one of those unforgettable clashes, leaders announced the holding of a general strike to date. The government responded by saying that the strike could do by the time they wanted, that the State would not meet the demands. And proved adamant, refusing even to receive the committee of representatives.
A group of 13 teachers, coming from various cities, joined the governor and decided to wait at the airport, only accessible place for a chat.
Hours and hours of waiting and nothing Richa.
Dozens of coffees, conversations, speech should be made to the governor on his tongue, repeating as the Blessing-a-ba.
Down the road when everyone was about to give up, behold, there came Richa.
Weary, giving security guards rush advisors wanting to prevent the group from 13 to approach not to irritate more the man.
José Richa, amid the turmoil of the small group that, unexpectedly, surrounded, began to give a hand to each teacher, affable, but fast, leaving no time to talk.
Everything was going well until Richa face to face with a former activist of the category, Luiz Teodoro Garcia, Londrina, known for his moderate positions in the assemblies, always calm and willing to resolve technical problems more demonstrations than actually ideological.
Had never been seen with so-called "incendiary."
Garcia, to the surprise of bodyguards, advisors, and especially from their own colleagues, grabbed the hand of the governor with all the force and said:
- "Now, you'll hear everything the teacher has to say."
Richa tried to pull his hand and Garcia came along.
Were face to face. The speech began.
Claims, shortages of teachers, demonstrations and strikes.
Richa listening, looking Garcia prays, prays for security, either for teachers. And two hands there, glued.
Garcia felt the sweat trickling between her fingers, felt pulling occasionally whispers of security, but did not give up.
He spoke everything he wanted and then just let go, finally, the hand of the governor.
Richa, half embarrassed, half relieved, said he'd think.
If you could attend the claims. And she was gone.
Garcia embraced by colleagues, became the hero of the night.
For him, facing an authority like that, out a more personal than collective.
It was necessary to save the dignity of the group that, after such a long wait, could not leave his mouth shut.
Two days later, Governor José Richa met the demands of the teachers and the strike, scheduled and advertised as the greatest of all time, was canceled.

Elizabeth M. de Azevedo, Professor sophomore state


Source: Stories of Paraná, Brasil.