The Final Product should be available in 4 to 5 weeks!!!

The peaceful protest was the first to take place since Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes and his administration announced the immediate and complete removal of several favela communities. It was the first occasions in which various source of media were present, covering the event. Reports on the number of people varied; however, at its peak it is likely that there were roughly 300 people present at the demonstration. The following were positive results of the event:

• The media has finally begun to give the issue (the forced removal and the resistance to it), the coverage it deserves.
• Certain prominent people, such as Chico Alencar, a Federal Deputy, were present and promised to raise the issue at the National/Federal level.
• Rio’s Mayor, Eduardo Paes, finally agreed to sit down and discuss the issue with 8 members of a Commission representing the communities marked for immediate and complete removal. The meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 4^th .

April 21st assembly of the favelas/slums facing removal

The meeting was the first Assembly that included all of the favelas/slums facing the constant threats that Rio’s Mayor Eduardo Paes and his administration have made to remove all residents in “areas of risk.” Approximately 400-500 people were present for this meeting, which was aimed at uniting the various communities in their struggle against Eduardo Paes’ plans for immediate an complete removal.

After presentations from representatives of each community, public defenders and others in attendance, there was a vote and a unanimous decision was reach to maintain the fight for their homes, their communities and their rights. The following strategy was decided:

• Fight against ‘total removal’
• Base the political struggle, initially, on an event to take place on APRIL 30th, at 10 AM in front of Rio de Janeiro’s City Hall in the city center
• With the help of a public defender, and various social movements, challenge the illegal acts carried out by the Mayor and the Governor of the state of Rio de Janeiro (Sérgio Cabral), by uniting the affected communities and proceeding in a united manner against forced removal.

Maurício Campos evaluating GEO-RIO's "technical report"

Maurício Campos, an engineer, and member of the nonprofit Network of Communities and Movements Against Violence, spoke to the crowd. An associate of his, an architect and representative of Rio’s Architects Union also addressed the crowd. They reinforced the illegality of the actions being conducted by Mayor Eduardo Paes. They raised serious questions about the credibility of GEO-RIO’s “technical report,” which was based exclusively on photos and produced BEFORE the rains and landslides. They warned that this ‘flawed research’ and the way it was presented as ‘professional geotechnical field work’ could seriously discredit GEO-RIO, an institution once highly regarded, and which Maurício had collaborated with in the past. They also highlighted the arrogant and indeed “terrorizing” behavior of Eduardo Paes’ administration, especially the attitudes of Rio’s Civil Defense, as they showed up at the doorsteps of family’s houses demanding that they leave immediately (without telling them where to go or how), threatening the use of police force in the future if they resist, and spray painting the doors and walls of resident’s homes.

Houses spray painted by the Civil Defense - marked for removal

On Tuesday, April 27, community leaders from Rocinha met with government officials at RA (the Regional Administrative Office, located in Rocinha) to present a petition written two weeks ago (see below, to read the petition). Eduardo Paes’ representatives made it crystal clear to all in attendance that their decision to demolish the ENTIRE community was non-negotiable and that NOTHING will stop them. Laboriaux’s residents questioned the officials, presenting a well organized defense, point by point, in a very professional and open manner. They questioned the conduct of the City, primarily highlighting the way in which the government has long abandoned the community; pointing out that the City’s promise that they would develop Laboriaux’s slopes and basic infrastructure has been on hold for nearly 10 years. The committee also made clear that the law states in Article 429; Section II of Rio de Janeiro’s Constitution that forced removals are illegal and can only occur in situations of ‘extreme risk.’ And, even in cases of ‘extreme risk’ it is required that all of the criteria established by the law be respected. For example, all ‘technical reports’ detailing cases of ‘extreme risk’ must be conducted with the participation of the community, and options must be discussed openly in collaboration with local residents so that appropriate solutions can be arrived at. None of this has been done!

The political and financial motives behind Eduardo Paes’ slum removal initiative are clear and he blatantly disregards the feelings and arguments presented by local residents. His actions are in total disregard of the framework established by municipal and state law. EDUARDO PAES IS DISREGARDING THE LAWS OF RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL, AND INDEED UNIVERSAL HUMAN RIZGHTS AS WELL!!! It is also clear that the media is in the service of the City and that they are omitting any reports of the City mistreating its citizens and  the media is not covering any of the facts that are actually occurring in the favelas concerning residents steadfast desire to remain.

It is well known that Eduardo Paes and his administration have long desired to rid Rio de Janeiro’s ‘nice areas’ of the favelas/slums. The administration and others are defending their actions behind false and superfluous intellectualism, coming from academics such as Sérgio Besserman, among others, who claim that defending the rights of favela residents and their communities is “anti-poor.” Paes, Besserman and other have targeted all people attempting to fight against ‘complete removal’ as agitators, anti-poor and even anti-life; saying that they will record images of all those who disagree with them and publish them via the media if one more person dies in a landslide. All of this is a ploy to distract attention away from the fact that the government has, for decades, done nothing to ensure the safety of the communities and upgrade their infrastructure.

On April 29th, Maurício Campos, the engineer who is working almost full time pro-bono in support of the movement against the complete removal of Rio’s favelas, began his field research in Laboriaux, taking photos and evaluating the soil and the housing conditions in the area. He was accompanied by Andrea, a Public Defender for the State of Rio de Janeiro. He promised to get more colleagues involved ASAP, to create a professional team of qualified engineers, architects and geologists to analysis and hold accountable the assessments of GEO-RIO, a branch of the Municipal Government.

The next step, as mentioned above, is the demonstration on April 30th, IN FRONT OF CITY HALL, at 10 AM.The

Leo (resident of Rocinha)

favelas/slums will descend upon the city, fighting peacefully to see that their rights are upheld.

Click here to read the Carta Aberta written by the residents of Laboriaux, in Portuguese

http://br.1mundoreal.org/noticias

Click here to read a relevant article from the Courier of Citizenship (portuguese)
http://www.correiocidadania.com.br/content/view/4549/9/

Nós, moradores da Rocinha, denunciamos a todos a forma autoritária e aterrorizante como a prefeitura do Rio vem anunciando a completa remoção dos moradores da região do Laboriaux e, agora, também da região Dionéia, após as recentes chuvas e quedas de encostas que fizeram 2 vitimas fatais.

O Retrocesso da proposta de Regularização Fundiária nas favelas do Rio de Janeiro

Em julho de 2009, foi sancionada a Lei Federal 11.977, Capítulo III, que menciona a Regularização Fundiária de Interesse Social (Seção II), instituindo o “Auto de Demarcação” e da “Legitimação da Posse”. Desde 2006, a Rocinha vive um processo de regularização fundiária e urbanística. Esse projeto resultou do engajamento e da solicitação das lideranças comunitárias, bem como das Associações de Moradores. em parceria com a Pastoral das Favelas da Arquidiocese do Rio de Janeiro. Esse movimento ganhou força a partir Por meio de contrato firmado com o Ministério das Cidades e com o Ministério da Justiça. A proposta de regularização fundiária aceita pelo Ministério das Cidades e da Justiça e que, de forma experimental, está sendo adotada na Rocinha, vem sofrendo forte oposição tem sido sabotada por interesses de uma classe média hipócrita e conservadora, que têm na sua retaguarda grupos interessados em ganhar com a especulação imobiliária e grupos políticos conservadores a serviço dos próprios interesses.

Classificamos como inadmissível a forma como o problema de vem sendo tratado pelas autoridades públicas que voltam a  criminalizar a população da favela, ao mesmo tempo em que a comunidade sofre com as inúmeras famílias desabrigadas que, sem ter para onde ir, continuam em abrigos provisórios, jogadas em lugares inapropriados para dormir. Os moradores também vem sendo tratados pela prefeitura do Rio com desrespeito e arrogância pelas ações da Defesa Civil.

Outro exemplo de desrespeito e desconsideração para com a população local é a convocação feita pela prefeitura para que todos os moradores do Laboriux se “cadastrassem” (mesmo as casas que não foram atingidas), sob a ameaça de força e de não receberem o aluguel social prometido de R$ 400. Mas, ao procurar a Região Administrativa, os moradores ficam horas e horas a fio em filas, sem receber qualquer atendimento. Deficientes, idosos, pessoas com doenças crônicas, todos em uma única e impiedosa fila. Porém, quando conseguem algum atendimento, a única coisa que as famílias recebem é um “Laudo de Interdição” de suas residências.

Com o despejos dos moradores, o Estatuto da Cidade, sofrera um grande retrocesso ao direito a moradia e a terra urbana pelos mais pobres, demonstrando dessa forma que, ao contrário do discurso oficial, que diz querer sanar parte dos problemas habitacionais da cidade, no Município do Rio de Janeiro não tem uma política publica de urbanização consolidada.  Não é gratuito que esta seja a cidade com altíssimos níveis de irregularidade fundiária e urbana, com drástico percentual de 70% de seu território.

Nós, moradores da Rocinha, vamos resistir à remoção forçada! Convocaremos o Núcleo de Terras e Habitação da Defensoria Pública e vamos organizar uma reunião de uma comissão formada por moradores das áreas afetadas com os defensores, técnicos (engenheiros e arquitetos) e organizações, para vistoriar a situação, conversar com moradores e avaliar o que pode ser feito, e se a alegada situação de risco generalizada afirmada pela prefeitura procede.

Lutaremos por uma assessoria sócio-jurídica ao grupo ameaçado de despejos da terra que ocupam – e que estão em processo de regularização de suas propriedades – desrespeitando assim o Direito à Cidade, que através dela a população que antes estava territorialmente excluída ingressa no mapa oficial da “Cidade Legal”. Nós somos parte da Cidade, e como detentores de direito individuais e coletivos, queremos que todas as pessoas da cidade não sofram discriminação racial, econômica, de gênero, idade, condições de saúde, queremos, assim  preservar nossa história e identidade cultural.

A Gestão do Prefeito Eduardo Paes quer destruir o que a própria prefeitura iniciou na década de 80, quando foi construído pelo Estado ás moradias com a participação de grupos populares sob a gestão do Governo Municipal. Uma equipe multidisciplinar foi formada, composta por trabalhadores da área social, arquitetos-urbanistas, engenheiros e moradores em um projeto de moradia que se destinava as pessoas que viviam no entorno do antigo valão.

Nós lutaremos contra as ações de remoção e despejo forçado, cujos reais interesses se escondem em uma retórica ambiental, em chamados à Ordem Pública. Estamos comprometidos a lutar pela garantia da Função Social da Propriedade e da Cidade.

Segue em anexo o abaixo assinado dos moradores e das entidades de apoio a nossa causa.

Nome Completo        Documento de Identidade

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There are a few Mundo Real team members living in the Laboriaux area of Rocinha and we have been thoroughly involved in everything taking place there during and since the rains. We have been observing the aggressive manner in which the government has been conducting the removal of these families. The homeless families who have lost their homes and who have no place to go have been placed in makeshift shelters with poor conditions. Dozens of Laboriaux’s residents have expressed to us that they are being treated with disrespect and arrogance by the actions of the Civil Defense and others representing the Municipal Government. The government officials are making their way through the area spray painting houses in very large letters and numbers making clear for all to see that everything will be demolished. They are also appraising homes in complete disregard to the fact that Laboriaux has among the best and most panoramic views of the city of Rio de Janeiro. There are several confusing forms of social assistance the government is offering residents to leave their homes. One of which is a monthly stipend called “social rent”. This “social rent” consists of 400 reais (roughly $170 US dollars) to cover monthly rent while the authorities try to figure out where to relocate the displaced residents on Laboriaux. Currently the government has presented only two eventual housing solutions for Laboriaux’s displaced families – either they will be relocated to Frei Caneca (an old prison complex turned into a housing project) in an post industrial area in the center of the city or to apartments in Jacarepagua, located about an hour away from the city center in Rio’s Westside.

This rapid removal is being done without presenting any real geological evaluation or scientific proof to the community indicating that the entire area is in extreme risk of falling of the mountain. They have been doing this quickly and quietly so as not to allow any mobilization or resistance from the people. Ironically Laboriaux has existed since 1982 when the Municipal Government relocated hundreds of people to the area from another part of Rocinha, known as Valão, which at the time they also deemed an ‘extreme risk’ because of flooding. According to a recent government census, from July of 2009 Laboriaux has over 823 households and during the recent rains only 2 unfortunate fatalities occurred. Many parts of the neighborhood are located on level ground.

In Morro das Prazeres, a community of roughly 12,000, where 30 people were killed during the mudslides, some resistance to complete removal has been mounting and they have demanded that the city treat them with dignity throughout the entire process and provide proof that the entire area is indeed an area of extreme risk. The president of the residents association, Eliza Rosa Brandão, has said, “We are not animals we are people, and we need compassion from the city.”

What we are advocating is that this removal process be slowed down a little from its current rocket pace and be conducted much more responsibly. Priority should be on addressing the thousands of people left homeless or injured in Rio de Janeiro as a result of the rains. First, the homeless need safe and decent places to stay while they restart their lives. We are agreeing with the authorities that homes that were damaged or destroyed by the mudslides be removed and the effected families receive the proper help they need. We also agree that homes that are in obvious areas of risk, which local residents and others can easily identify visually, also be removed to prevent further tragedies and loss of life. Everything needs to be done appropriately without causing hysteria within these communities by forcing their removal so quickly. The communities need to be involved in this process and have third party scientists/experts analyze any evaluations from the government. This is of utmost importance in a city like Rio de Janeiro where there is a long history of forced slum evacuation and where property values are among the worlds highest. It is well documented that authorities have manipulated data in the past to force favela residents to leave supposed areas of risk, and within several years these same areas are dotted with mansions and luxury high-rises. One of the most telling examples of the nonsense behind the complete removals in the small favela community of São João Batista in Botafogo, where not one person died and not one house was destroyed, but the entire community is facing rapid removal.

Laboriaux is a very close-knit community of roughly 3000-4000 residents, mostly migrant workers from Brazil’s impoverished northeast or their decedents. These are people’s homes that they built with their hard earned cash and with the help of the community. The social fabric that makes up Laboriaux and the other communities facing removal will be completely broken. These government evacuations reek of ulterior motives and the people being evacuated know it. It is well known that the upper middle class and elite, who have mansions and luxury high-rises surrounding these communities have long dreamed of them being removed and now they are taking advantage of the recent tragedy, playing on people’s fears and emotions, to achieve their long awaited goal. This is the driving force behind the rapid evacuation. Simply put – we want all people – poor, rich and everything in-between to be safe and healthy but it appears that the mudslides are being used as a good excuse to clear out these poor communities.

We are looking for specialists who can evaluate the claims made by the government that the entire community must move.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE PETITION WRITTEN BY THE RESIDENTS OF LABORIAUX

If you can help in any way please contact Mundo Real at mundoreal@1mundoreal.org

Or call

Vilson (21) 7660-1025

Andre (21) 9865 – 3224

Marcos (21) 8367-2010

Steven (USA) 423-488-3799

References:

http://www.rio.rj.gov.br/web/guest/exibeconteudo?article-id=675420 (Prefeito apresenta planos de reassentamento à Justiça e ao Ministério Público)

http://urutau.proderj.rj.gov.br/egprio_imagens/Uploads/PAC%20ROCINHA%20DOMICILIAR.PDF (PAC CENSUS)

http://g1.globo.com/Noticias/Rio/0,,MUL1563419-5606,00.html (Presidente da associação de moradores do Morro do Prazeres critica remoção

http://passapalavra.info/?p=21779 Moradores do Morro dos Prazeres querem resistir à remoção

Short clip of meeting on Laboriaux:

Recent Photos taken from community meetings in Laboriaux:

If you are interested in helping please contact Mundo Real:

Mundo Real, Inc.

USA: 423.488.3799 • Brazil: 011.55.21.3205.3319 • www.1mundoreal.org • mundoreal@1mundoreal.org

Friends and Family of Mundo Real,

These past several months have been exciting for Mundo Real, as we’ve seen our team in both Brazil and the US change and grow. Throughout this development we maintain our commitment to the community, keeping much of the decision making at the local level. However, in accordance with our mission and vision we are always seeking ways of connecting the community to the outside world, and vice-versa. Recently we have brought in some very talented and highly qualified members, who we would like to briefly introduce. Felix Garcia Lopez holds a PhD in Sociology and is currently a University Professor as well as Research Coordinator at the Institute for Applied Economics, IPEA. Abdulrazak Karriem is Full Time Professor of Sustainable Urban Development at Cornell University. George Contreras, is a 21 year veteran NYC paramedic, PhD Candidate in Public Health and University Professor. They are all new and valuable members of our board.

In addition to our developing our team we have also been working our way through the bureaucratic intricacies of legalizing our organizations for tax-exempt status in both the US and Brazil. After several weeks of absolute devotion our team is set to accomplish what often takes small organizations months or even years to complete. Currently Mundo Real is closer than ever to becoming an official non-profit organization in Brazil. While we have been incorporated as a nonprofit organization since 2007 (still working on federal tax-exempt status in US , however), simply registering Mundo Real in Brazil has proved a challenge, attorney Thiago Assis has been fundamental in guiding us through. Once we legally register in Brazil we can greatly increase the scope and scale of our publicity and fundraising efforts there.

All of these developments are key to our sustainability and our vision of long-term and meaningful social change. We are grateful for all of your support in the past few months and are looking forward to continued progress and growth in the future.  Please read below for a more detailed look into recent developments with Mundo Real in Brazil.

THIAGO ASSIS

During the process of legal recognition as a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in Brazil we were introduced to corporate attorney Thiago Assis. Thiago’s parents used to live in Rocinha, and his story reminds us of the enormous role that access to educational opportunities plays in changing lives.

EDUCATION

We are also celebrating the accomplishments of yet another Mundo Real member, Vilson Bezerra, as he has begun his studies in PUC-Rio’s Social Work Program. Vilson is the second member of our team to receive a full scholarship to study at PUC-Rio through the partnership Mundo Real formed with their Department of Social Service. We are all very proud of Vilson, who plays a pivotal role in Mundo Real’s day to day operations. We are excited for him, and look forward to learning more as Vilson and André (now in his 2^nd Semester in the same program) share their new perspectives and experiences with the rest of the team.

SUCCESS STORIES

Detailing the bureaucratic wrangling involved in securing benefits for elderly and disabled residents is hardly a popular topic of conversation. Interesting, however, is the power that such paperwork has over the lives of the disadvantaged people we know and work with. In the past two months, Mundo Real has assisted 5 new residents in receiving long over due and much needed benefits. As previously mentioned, we often serve as advocates for residents of Rocinha who qualify for government benefits and health programs, among our numerous other activities. This service is vital, because in Brazil less than 1% of those eligible for public disability assistance are receiving it. We are pushing to increase this number, because in Rocinha many of the cases we encounter include disabled and elderly residents who are surviving on little or no income whatsoever. Take the case of Jose Manoel, for example. (see below)

Jose Manoel

Senhor Jose is originally from the poverty-stricken state of Ceara, and migrated to Rio when he was 17 in search of employment.  He held various jobs until his mid 60s, and has since been unemployed. Jose Manoel has not received regular monthly income for over 14 years, and although he is of legal age in two previous attempts he had was unable to secure his rightful benefits. It is important to note how difficult navigating legal bureaucracies in Brazil is. For the millions of Brazilians without even a high school, or even junior high school, education this is often a dreaded process, and millions give up after one or two unsuccessful attempts.  In early August, Vilson and Mundo Real intern Kabita Parajuli accompanied Jose Manoel on his 3^rd attempt to gain access to unemployment benefits, and we succeeded! Senhor Jose says he thinks his life will change dramatically.  He no longer feels the same shame and reluctance to live, and has begun taking his medication for heart problems again. Meanwhile, we continue to take part in the struggle to guarantee Rocinha’s residents their basic human rights!

Dona Benedita

In July we met Dona Benedita.  Ms. Benedita is a Catholic faith-healer who believes in multiple concepts of healing. She is highly respected and much-loved in her neighborhood in Rocinha. She has already suffered one amputation as a result of her diabetes.  Though she strongly believes in natural cures, she is open to medical practices and currently uses a glucometer and other materials courtesy of Mundo Real. These donations have proved essential in providing assistance to Ms. Benedita during the last few months. Throughout many of our conversations she confirmed the urgent need for affordable transportation available to special-needs residents in marginalized communities like Rocinha: as currently, she uses half of her monthly income to pay for transportation to and from a single doctor’s visit.

PASSINGS

Since June Mundo Real has mourned the loss of six of our beneficiaries and partners in the community. While the passing of each one saddens us, especially when the circumstances were largely preventable, we feel the loss of two individuals in particular. Dona Alcina, 94 years of age and resident of Rocinha for over 60 years, passed away on 13 August, 2009.  Dona Alcina was a precious women and one of the last remaining resident of Rocinha in their 90s. With her loss Rocinha also loses a wealth of stories about the community and the many changes it has been through.

Also, this past July, Rocinha and the Mundo Real suffered a great loss. Jefferson Ferreira de Oliveira, 17, the son of team member and tireless disabilities-activist Cely, passed away from complications related to his Cerebral-Palsy. For more than a decade, Jeferson and Cely, an inspirational mother son duo, motivated countless families in Rocinha and neighboring communities in the struggle for inclusion and their rights. Cely’s determined battle to address the dignity and humanity of those with special needs provided the spark for Mundo Real’s creation in Rocinha. Jeferson was a cherished member of the Mundo Real family, and his life will continue to inspire us to work for a better world.

Thank you for your support, encouragement, and friendship. It means the world to us.

- The Mundo Real team