Brazil: Thousands support petition against eviction

In just one week, 3,036 of you signed our petition to support families in Brazil under threat of eviction. Residents will present this petition when they meet police on 16 July to discuss eviction arrangements. Thank you for taking action

More than 2,000 people, including 250 children, pregnant women, older and disabled people, face being thrown out of their homes onto the streets of São Paulo following a court ruling.

Once a chic hotel, the Mauá building in the centre of São Paulo was abandoned and empty until five years ago when over 200 homeless families moved in. They cleaned up the building and began trying to win legal rights to their home – as Brazilian law allows.

Urgent campaign

Earlier this year, the families succeeded in saving the building from demolition and started negotiations to convert it into social housing.

But judges have ruled that over 2,000 people who live in abandoned buildings, including Mauá, should be evicted. These include about 250 children, older people, pregnant women, and people with disabilities, who would be left homeless and living on the streets.

In July, we launched an urgent campaign demanding the Brazilian authorities overturn the eviction order and ensure these people have somewhere secure to live in the long-term.

Our Brazilian partner APOIO is providing legal support and helping families negotiate with the authorities to stop this eviction.

Thank you for your support

Osmar Borges, APOIO’s coordinator said: “I am very happy that you are supporting us, as if this eviction happens there will be many people in the streets. We will present this petition to the authorities during the negotiations and meetings with the families to show there is big national and international concern for this case, and pressure them to take urgent action. Be it in the buildings or on the streets our struggle will continue.”

Emily Mulville, CAFOD’s Brazil Programme Officer added “Many many thanks for the incredible support and commitment coming from all over England and Wales! This is a fantastic collective effort by CAFOD supporters, campaigners, Connect2 parishes, schools, and staff, which we hope will amplify the voice and power of these families to stop the evictions.”

Leave a message of support and solidarity for the community >>