Brazil: the People Resist Police Violence in São Paulo
Featured image: burning barricades in Paraisópolis, favela do Moinho, São Paulo. Source: A Nova Democracia.
A Nova Democracia (AND) reported that on Monday, 12th of May, the people protested in a favela in São Paulo against police violence. Residents of the favela blocked avenues and public transport lines in Paraisópolis and the Moinho favela in the city center with burning barricades. The protests began as a response to the murder of Nicolas Alexandre, a 19-year-old who was shot by the military police on May 10.
Residents of the favela used tires and various pieces of wood to build barricades and block bus transport lines. During the protest, a vehicle belonging to civil authorities responsible for transportation and traffic was attacked.
The State sent police, helicopters, and the infamous Shock Battalion to suppress the people, using tear gasses and rubber bullets. No residents were injured or arrested thanks to their effective organization during the struggle. The protest lasted about four hours.
In the neighborhood, residents also fought against an attempted eviction. Once again, they erected burning barricades, blocking city train lines and refuting local propaganda that claimed the evictions were “peaceful and without protests.”
AND reports that the protests continued at least until 13th of May. On this day, the military police went to the favela to attempt to demolish houses. In the process, they also shot residents with rubber bullets and used pepper spray against children who were protesting the eviction.
