Birth & Death of a Favella

[ihpguy]

I'm not sure how much coverage there has been in the various media about the newest favela to have sprung up in Rio, its phenomenal growth and quick closure/death. An empty building of the local phone company OI/ex-Telemar, near Norte Shopping and the Jacarezinho complex of favelas was invaded by squatters on March 30 of this year. Just 2 weeks ago. As of yesterday when the police invaded and evicted them, their umbers had grown to an estimated 5000. Yep. Hard to believe. Like an invasion of rats. As many came from a neighboring favela in the Jacarezinho complex - "Rato Molhado" or "Wet Rat"

The phone company claims that they have had the building protected under a security service, but just not sufficient to block the invasion of a large number of homeless. So yesterday the police invaded, arrested a few dozen, caused some minor injuries, no deaths, broke up the shacks that were thrown up and increased security. This is all part of planned protests in advance of the World Cup. During Carnaval the garbage men went on strike. They didn't get enough money in the settlement. They are supposedly going to do this all over again during the World Cup when they eyes of the world are on Brasil and especially Rio de Janeiro. Ditto last weeks invasion by the army of Brasil into the Complexo Mare, right at entrance to ilha Fundao and Ilha del Gobernador with about 2500 troops. Not just the Policia Militar. But Dilma and the Federal Forces are involved now.

Here are some links for video and photos. You won't understand the portuguese but the visuals are good.

http://g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2014/04/invasores-fazem-barracos-em-predio-tomado-no-engenho-novo-no-rio.html

http://g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2014/04/policia-militar-retira-invasores-de-terreno-da-oi-no-rio.html

http://g1.globo.com/rio-de-janeiro/noticia/2014/04/mais-invasores-ocupam-predio-desocupado-no-suburbio-do-rio.html

The last link I think has the best video.