Armed peasant resistance repels attacks by goons and MP
We share some updates on the struggle for land in Brazil, all of them reported by A Nova Democracia.
Anti-latifundium demonstration shakes São Paulo
Per second week in a row, thousands have gathered in São Paulo to demonstrate against latifundium, against the fires and to support of the Agrarian Revolution.
A large banner rose the slogan “Long live Agrarian Revolution! Death to latifundium!” Together with flags of the League of the Poor Peasant (LCP) among others. Demonstrators also raised slogans against the Temporal Framework and even against elections.
Military Police (MP) was deployed and there are videos where they appear with smoke bombs in their hands, just ready to repress the demonstration.
The demonstration also takes place within the framework of the intensification of the struggle for land in the country, both by peasants and indigenous people.
Armed peasant resistance repels the attacks by goons and Military Police
Carrying different peasant tools and flags of the League of the Poor Peasants (LCP) and a big banner that reads “The risk of the stick, the axe has it as well!” peasants supported by students repelled a troop of more than 50 armed goons and different police units in a joint paramilitary action at Engenho do Barro Branco, Jaqueira, Pernambuco, on 28th of September. The goons, together with the representatives from the company, arrive with two backhoe and destroyed two houses. Additionally they set and electric fence.
We have previously reported on this camp, where the big landlord company, Agropecuria Mata Sul Ltda., has attacked several times the peasants.
The peasants immediately called the Brazilian Association of Lawyers of the People (Abrapo). But after showing to the goons that was forbidden their presence in the area by using legal documents, the lawyer was attacked. So the peasants decided to combat.
Peasants set ablaze barricades and at 9:30 in the morning, 8 units of the MP came to protect the goons of the latifundium. The MP also threatened the peasants with weapons. But peasants maintained their positions. Some ours later, 60 students from different organizations came to support the peasants.
As response, the MP call the Special Battalion of the Inland Police while the goons tried to go further, shooting peasants and supporters, resulting in several injured by gunfire. On the side of the goons, two of them were shot by the peasants.
The troops and goons abandoned the Engenho Barro Branco, what meant the victory of the peasants. After that, they made an assemble with more than 100 people were reaffirmed that this struggle has only began and that they will continue until all lands from the old Usina Frei Caneca belong to the people.
Indigenous peasant leader demands solution for the stealing of his lands
In a meeting with Cacique Izaías Benite, from Tekoha Arakoê, this Wednesday, September 25th, judge Fernando Antonio Prazeres, from the Court of Justice of Paraná, committed himself to mediating the purchase by FUNAI (National Indian Foundation) of the lands claimed by indigenous people in the municipalities of Terra-Roxa and Guaíra, Western Paraná (Guasu Guavirá Indigenous Land), who are under armed pressure from big landlords.
The occupations in the Guasu Guavirá Indigenous Land have already lasted 4 months. Around 70 peasant indigenous families occupy three territories in the region and are the target of repossession by the old State.
On this 25th, Chief Izaías Benite traveled to Curitiba to meet with Judge Fernando Prazeres, who was aware of the situation. The old State representative and responsible for mediation between the conflicting parties informed that the old State’s objective is to use the Itaipu Hydroelectric Fund (which owes reparations to the indigenous people due to the floods caused by the construction of the dam) to acquire land for Funai. However, it is uncertain whether the large landowners wish to sell parts of their extensive territories, the Brilhante and São Paulo farms.
The indigenous people have suffered death threats, were looted and run over, shots and fireworks were fired by the latifundium’s henchmen, roads were fenced off to surround the occupants and a child with pneumonia had to be taken to a hospital in Toledo (the 90km away). Since the occupations began, the entrance to health care has been blocked and residents are surrounded by the latifundium.
The latifundium blocks indigenous demarcation and is now promoting a large siege to expel them from their lands, taking advantage of the permissiveness of the Federal and the old State Government.
