Thousands support CAFOD petition against Brazil eviction

family facing eviction

In just one week, 2,885 people signed CAFOD's campaign petition to support families in Brazil under threat of eviction. Residents will present this petition as a show of international support when they meet police next week to discuss eviction plans.

Emily Mulville, CAFOD's Brazil Programme Officer said: "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, parishes, and schools which we hope will amplify the voice and power of these families to stop the evictions."

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.

CAFOD's Brazilian partner APOIO is providing legal support and helping families negotiate with the authorities to halt the eviction.

Osmar Borges, APOIO's coordinator said: "I am very happy that you are supporting us, because 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."

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.

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 more than 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.

Earlier this month CAFOD launched the urgent campaign demanding the Brazilian authorities overturn the eviction order and ensure the community has somewhere secure to live in the long-term.