Joy in Brazil as evictions suspended after public outcry
The proposed eviction of the residents of the Mauá building in São Paulo, Brazil has been suspended, thanks to collective action which included a 3,000-strong petition from CAFOD supporters
Parish justice and peace groups, school children and a local MP were among those who sent messages of support and signed a petition calling for the evictions to be stopped and for the communities to have somewhere secure to live in the long term.
And on 11 July, almost 2,000 people in the streets of São Paulo joined a march for housing. This march added to the pressure on the Brazilian authorities to suspend the eviction orders which threatened families from CAFOD’s Connect2 community in Mauá and in another abandoned building known as Rio Branco. In addition, the government announced that the Mauá building will be considered for regeneration and possible conversion into social housing.
Today we can celebrate
Osmar Borges from CAFOD partner organisation APOIO said, “The petition was presented to the authorities and we read your letter of support in front of the 2,000 protesters. This unity and support was fundamental. We have shown that the struggle makes the difference. If we had just waited and done nothing, then the evictions would have taken place. But instead, today we can celebrate the fruits of this solidarity and collective action.”
Thank you
The authorities have also agreed to convert another abandoned building in the city centre, Prestes Maia, into social housing for the 378 homeless families who live there. The authorities confirmed that whatever the results of the conversion feasibility study or legal decision, over 600 families from Mauá and Prestes Maia will be guaranteed social housing in the centre of São Paulo.
Emily Mulville, CAFOD’s Brazil Programme Officer, said: “Thank you to everyone who took action to support the families facing eviction. Your actions came at just the right time. The public visibility has meant that carrying out the evictions is now politically impossible, particularly given the lack of alternative solutions and in the face of upcoming elections. We will continue to work with our partners in São Paulo to support these and other families in their struggle to get decent, permanent housing.”
