It emerged from the merger of four previous organizations[1] and pursues strategic goals such as ending Brazil's dependency as well as the establishment of a sovereign and popular political regime.

This philosophy is systematized in the organization's motto: Open Political Unity for a New Majority (Portuguese: Unidade aberta por uma nova maioria), which means the formation of a broad political field capable of consolidating itself as an alternative for the emancipation of the Brazilian people against a political regime built by the "Casa Grande" ("Big House", a reference to the slave owners and the dominat majority) and the "Casa Branca" (the White House, a reference to foreign imperialist influence in the country).

[2] The identity of the organization is defined by its political activities, which are oriented towards the "militant, popular and of the masses."

The Popular Brigades seek a militancy of a territorial characteristic, organizing different social groups especially those that cannot sustain the needs of daily life.

The Popular Brigades is known for its aggressive campaigns for urban reform (especially occupations), gender equality, student and union movements, the fight against racism,[3] police violence, the antiprisonal and antipunitivist agenda (acting in the prison system), environmental fight against mining abuses,[4] and several other issues.