Slideshow: Homeless workers in Brazil occupy unused land and buildings
All photos by Andalusia Knoll. Hear and read Sam Cowie’s report.
A multistory building occupied in Sao Paulo.
Banner reads: Housing is a Basic Right. Hey Politicians- The World Cup without homes is a crime. That is why we occupy!
Housing activists, artists and homeless people enter a luxury high rise in downtown Sao Paulo to occupy it.
Various families with children plan on living in the building.
Activists said the building was abandoned for five years but the electrical work, including that of an elevator, was intact which they succeeded in connecting.
The ambiance during the building takeover was festive with music and drumming.
Songs play a key role in the protests and building occupations.
This particular building takeover occurred during Brazil’s opening game of the World Cup… but that didn’t prevent people from watching it on handheld devices.
Members of Passe Livre, the youth movement which sparked the massive protests against the bus fare hike last year, supported the occupation while playing cards and listening to the opening soccer game.
Songs of celebration erupt in the lobby.
This building takeover was coordinated by Sao Paulo’s Central Region Housing Movement.
A new resident gives a tour of the apartments that will likely house three families each.
The building’s patio lends itself to soccer practice.
A family settles in to one of the apartments.
