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Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – ‘In Alemão, deaths aren’t investigated' Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – ‘In Alemão, deaths aren’t investigated'
(about 3 hours later)
8 March8 March
Last night, there was such a fierce gun battle that I could not go home. My WhatsApp groups warned of the tension in the favela so a friend offered to let me stay at her house. This meant I took a different route from usual the next morning when I headed to an appointment in the south zone, the most upmarket part of the city. When I go from the Complexo do Alemão, which is in the north zone, it generally takes two hours. But it feels much longer, because the buses are crammed and there is no air-conditioning while you are snarled in the traffic jams that always clog the main thoroughfare of Avenida Brasil. Look out the window and you can see that one of the reasons for the chaos is construction. Workers are building alternative transport systems for the Olympics.Last night, there was such a fierce gun battle that I could not go home. My WhatsApp groups warned of the tension in the favela so a friend offered to let me stay at her house. This meant I took a different route from usual the next morning when I headed to an appointment in the south zone, the most upmarket part of the city. When I go from the Complexo do Alemão, which is in the north zone, it generally takes two hours. But it feels much longer, because the buses are crammed and there is no air-conditioning while you are snarled in the traffic jams that always clog the main thoroughfare of Avenida Brasil. Look out the window and you can see that one of the reasons for the chaos is construction. Workers are building alternative transport systems for the Olympics.
In the south zone, it’s very different. Here, the bus is brand new and has good, cold air-conditioning. From the window, I see people exercising on the reclaimed land of the Aterro do Flamengo. I realise how beautiful this city is and a smile crosses my face. Then I take a deep breath and think about the contradictions of a city model that was not made for me, my family or my friends. Time to get off the bus.In the south zone, it’s very different. Here, the bus is brand new and has good, cold air-conditioning. From the window, I see people exercising on the reclaimed land of the Aterro do Flamengo. I realise how beautiful this city is and a smile crosses my face. Then I take a deep breath and think about the contradictions of a city model that was not made for me, my family or my friends. Time to get off the bus.
Related: Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – ‘The segregation of Rio is notorious’
17 March17 March
“Avoid leaving the house! Heavy shooting in the Complexo do Alemão” read the headline on the Facebook page of a local newspaper. With clashes between police and drug traffickers increasingly frequent these days, the TV news announced that during the Olympics the Brazilian army will occupy some slums. Of course, the Complexo do Alemão is on the list!“Avoid leaving the house! Heavy shooting in the Complexo do Alemão” read the headline on the Facebook page of a local newspaper. With clashes between police and drug traffickers increasingly frequent these days, the TV news announced that during the Olympics the Brazilian army will occupy some slums. Of course, the Complexo do Alemão is on the list!
The dynamics of the relationship between gangs and police here are hard to understand. For a while, there may be peace. This does not mean that there aren’t dealers, drugs or police. On the contrary, the two sides live together in a strange kind of “harmony”. Sometimes, they are just a few metres from one another.The dynamics of the relationship between gangs and police here are hard to understand. For a while, there may be peace. This does not mean that there aren’t dealers, drugs or police. On the contrary, the two sides live together in a strange kind of “harmony”. Sometimes, they are just a few metres from one another.
I think the “war on drugs” legitimises the violence in the favelas. Drugs are consumed throughout the whole city, but the violence is concentrated in Alemão, Maré, Rocinha and so many other favelas. As a result, they have a reputation for violence, and that is what the outside world hears about, rather than the wonderful stories about talented people who are transforming their existence out of sheer necessity and in the absence of the state. In the favelas, the presence of the state means the police. We deserve more than this.I think the “war on drugs” legitimises the violence in the favelas. Drugs are consumed throughout the whole city, but the violence is concentrated in Alemão, Maré, Rocinha and so many other favelas. As a result, they have a reputation for violence, and that is what the outside world hears about, rather than the wonderful stories about talented people who are transforming their existence out of sheer necessity and in the absence of the state. In the favelas, the presence of the state means the police. We deserve more than this.
2 April2 April
Eduardo de Jesus Ferreira was 10 years old when he was killed by a bullet to the head while playing outside his front door. The investigation concluded the shot was fired by a military policeman.Eduardo de Jesus Ferreira was 10 years old when he was killed by a bullet to the head while playing outside his front door. The investigation concluded the shot was fired by a military policeman.
A year later, hundreds of people gather in the alley where Eduardo was murdered to press the authorities to punish those responsible. Many mothers who have lost their children participate, sharing in the pain of the loss and the anger at the reluctance of the government to bring the culprits to justice. One of the mothers said to the crowd: “In addition to sharing suffering, note that we all share the same colour – we are all black. All of us.”A year later, hundreds of people gather in the alley where Eduardo was murdered to press the authorities to punish those responsible. Many mothers who have lost their children participate, sharing in the pain of the loss and the anger at the reluctance of the government to bring the culprits to justice. One of the mothers said to the crowd: “In addition to sharing suffering, note that we all share the same colour – we are all black. All of us.”
17 April17 April
At the home of my grandmother I watch the impeachment vote against [President] Dilma [Rousseff] that is taking place in the House of Representatives. Every five minutes, my grandmother complains that she cannot bear to hear the politicians talking. My uncle and cousin are playing video games. It seems like an ordinary day.At the home of my grandmother I watch the impeachment vote against [President] Dilma [Rousseff] that is taking place in the House of Representatives. Every five minutes, my grandmother complains that she cannot bear to hear the politicians talking. My uncle and cousin are playing video games. It seems like an ordinary day.
At my computer, I transcribe the speeches of all the deputies who claim they are voting “to end corruption”, even though they are accused [of] or charged [with] crimes themselves.At my computer, I transcribe the speeches of all the deputies who claim they are voting “to end corruption”, even though they are accused [of] or charged [with] crimes themselves.
The city of Rio was strangely silent. It was almost impossible to believe that, despite being elected with 54m votes and not committing any crime, the president is being removed from office. A coup was launched on this day by a congress that does not represent the Brazilian people.The city of Rio was strangely silent. It was almost impossible to believe that, despite being elected with 54m votes and not committing any crime, the president is being removed from office. A coup was launched on this day by a congress that does not represent the Brazilian people.
Related: Rio Olympics: view from the favelas – ‘Violence here has become trivialised’
21-23 April21-23 April
In the wealthy south zone of Rio, a bike path collapses, killing three people. In the north zone favela of Alemão, police kill a moto-taxi driver. The responses could hardly be more different.In the wealthy south zone of Rio, a bike path collapses, killing three people. In the north zone favela of Alemão, police kill a moto-taxi driver. The responses could hardly be more different.
The day after the disaster in the south zone, there is a major operation to locate the missing bodies with helicopters and fire department officials. In Alemão, police put the body of the moto-taxi driver in a car in the middle of the night and leave the scene. Since the moto-taxi driver was dead, the area should have been cordoned off, preserving the crime scene for an investigation. Then, those responsible should be punished. Here in Alemão, deaths aren’t investigated.The day after the disaster in the south zone, there is a major operation to locate the missing bodies with helicopters and fire department officials. In Alemão, police put the body of the moto-taxi driver in a car in the middle of the night and leave the scene. Since the moto-taxi driver was dead, the area should have been cordoned off, preserving the crime scene for an investigation. Then, those responsible should be punished. Here in Alemão, deaths aren’t investigated.
Newspaper reports of the south zone accident have big headlines, detailed analysis by experts and smart infographics. When it comes to coverage of the death in Alemão, there is only a terse summary: “Firefight leaves motorcycle-taxi driver dead.”Newspaper reports of the south zone accident have big headlines, detailed analysis by experts and smart infographics. When it comes to coverage of the death in Alemão, there is only a terse summary: “Firefight leaves motorcycle-taxi driver dead.”
But locals say there was no gunfire at the time the police were supposed to have shot the boy. In the south zone, taskforces are mobilised to find the bodies. In Alemão, it seems the police makes an effort to hide them.But locals say there was no gunfire at the time the police were supposed to have shot the boy. In the south zone, taskforces are mobilised to find the bodies. In Alemão, it seems the police makes an effort to hide them.
15 May15 May
It was a quiet night, but the police stopped one of my friends at one of the exits of the community. He was released soon after, but the memory of what we experienced that day will be forever in our memories.It was a quiet night, but the police stopped one of my friends at one of the exits of the community. He was released soon after, but the memory of what we experienced that day will be forever in our memories.
I was with two friends: Enderson, a journalist from Bahia who exposed a massacre on the outskirts of Salvador, and Raull Santiago, a supporter of the most influential human rights group in Alemão.I was with two friends: Enderson, a journalist from Bahia who exposed a massacre on the outskirts of Salvador, and Raull Santiago, a supporter of the most influential human rights group in Alemão.
We were at the home of a friend who lived in one of the highest parts of the favela. She was preparing a welcome dinner for Enderson. We always have a party when we meet, since most of our interactions take place online. Shortly before midnight, we headed out to the birthday party of another friend, Helcimar.We were at the home of a friend who lived in one of the highest parts of the favela. She was preparing a welcome dinner for Enderson. We always have a party when we meet, since most of our interactions take place online. Shortly before midnight, we headed out to the birthday party of another friend, Helcimar.
We split up to take separate moto-taxis. I was on the first motorbike, followed closely by Enderson and Raull. Along the way, we passed people on the street, children, police and gang members. All of them were separated only by a few metres, but they seemed to be getting along well, each in their own space, knowing their limits.We split up to take separate moto-taxis. I was on the first motorbike, followed closely by Enderson and Raull. Along the way, we passed people on the street, children, police and gang members. All of them were separated only by a few metres, but they seemed to be getting along well, each in their own space, knowing their limits.
I arrived at the bar and waited for the two guys. I was finding the delay strange when I received a message on my phone from Raull asking: “Dai, has Enderson arrived yet?”I arrived at the bar and waited for the two guys. I was finding the delay strange when I received a message on my phone from Raull asking: “Dai, has Enderson arrived yet?”
I answered no, and immediately became very worried – it was night-time and Enderson, being from Bahia, wasn’t familiar with the alleys of the favela. Raull replied: “Something’s off”, which confirmed my suspicions that something was wrong.I answered no, and immediately became very worried – it was night-time and Enderson, being from Bahia, wasn’t familiar with the alleys of the favela. Raull replied: “Something’s off”, which confirmed my suspicions that something was wrong.
Enderson had been approached by police officers. He was wearing a shirt with the words “Jovem Negro Vivo” (Young, Black, Alive), a campaign launched by Amnesty International to alert people to the high number of deaths caused by Rio’s military police among young black favela residents.Enderson had been approached by police officers. He was wearing a shirt with the words “Jovem Negro Vivo” (Young, Black, Alive), a campaign launched by Amnesty International to alert people to the high number of deaths caused by Rio’s military police among young black favela residents.
Since Rio won the right to host the Olympics in 2009, Amnesty says 2,500 people have been killed by police in Rio. The overwhelming majority of the victims are young black men. Very few cases are investigated, let alone punished.Since Rio won the right to host the Olympics in 2009, Amnesty says 2,500 people have been killed by police in Rio. The overwhelming majority of the victims are young black men. Very few cases are investigated, let alone punished.
Enderson had at least three rifles pointed at his head. The police asked if he worked with Raull Santiago. The question is why do the police persecute those who fight for a better future in the favela? Why are they trying to impose a culture of fear that prevents us from pointing out errors and suggesting changes?Enderson had at least three rifles pointed at his head. The police asked if he worked with Raull Santiago. The question is why do the police persecute those who fight for a better future in the favela? Why are they trying to impose a culture of fear that prevents us from pointing out errors and suggesting changes?
We are “traffickers” of culture and information, so maybe this persecution is a kind of “revenge” by a group of police officers who point us out, know our names and show off their guns. Our weapon is our narrative, and our struggle is for the right to live in Alemão and the chance to live together without daily shootings, without the terror of the police, without fear of drug traffickers.We are “traffickers” of culture and information, so maybe this persecution is a kind of “revenge” by a group of police officers who point us out, know our names and show off their guns. Our weapon is our narrative, and our struggle is for the right to live in Alemão and the chance to live together without daily shootings, without the terror of the police, without fear of drug traffickers.
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8 de março
Ontem à noite, teve um tiroteio tão intenso que não consegui voltar para casa. Todos os grupos do WhatsApp alertavam sobre o clima de tensão que estava na favela, e uma amiga sugeriu que eu ficasse em sua casa. Isso quer dizer que a minha trajetória seria um pouco diferente na manhã seguinte - eu tinha compromissos também na zona sul do Rio, a parte mais rica da cidade. Geralmente, o trajeto partindo do Complexo do Alemão - na zona norte do Rio - leva em torno de duas horas. Mas os ônibus lotados e sem ar-condicionado parecem triplicar o tempo da viagem, parado no engarrafamento da Avenida Brasil. Pela janela, eu percebo homens trabalhando na construção, uma das razões para esse caos. Estão construindo uma nova alternativa de transporte - um investimento de 1.1 bilhões de reais para as Olimpíadas.
Na zona Sul, é muito diferente. O ônibus é novinho, o ar condicionado bem gelado. Da janela, eu vejo as pessoas estão se exercitando no aterro do Flamengo. Percebi o quanto a cidade é linda e um sorriso escapou do meu rosto. Respiro fundo e caindo em si, penso sobre as contradições de um modelo de cidade que não foi feito para mim, minha família e meus amigos. Cheguei no estágio.
17 de março
“Evitem sair de casa! Muito tiro no Complexo do Alemão” – dizia a manchete do jornal local pela página do Facebook. Os confrontos parecem estar mais constantes e a televisão anuncia que durante os Jogos Olímpicos, o Exército Brasileiro irá ocupar algumas favelas. O Complexo do Alemão está na lista, claro!
Não dá para entender a dinâmica entre o tráfico e a polícia por aqui. Durante um tempo fica uma paz. Isso não significa que não tenham traficantes, venda de drogas ou policiais. Pelo contrário, eles convivem “harmoniosamente” no mesmo espaço. As vezes, separados por poucos metros de distância.
Penso que a “Guerra às Drogas” legitima esse processo de violência que se vive nas favelas. Drogas é um coisa que a cidade inteira consome, mas a violência fica concentrada por aqui no Alemão, na Maré, Rocinha e outras tantas favelas da cidade. Esses lugares são reconhecidas por serem violentas e não por existirem nela histórias maravilhosas de pessoas talentosas e cheias de garra, que transformaram sua realidade a partir da necessidade e da ausência do Estado. A presença do Estado, nas favelas, é a polícia. Merecemos mais do que isso.
2 de abril
Eduardo de Jesus Ferreira tinha 10 anos quando foi morto com um tiro de fuzil na cabeça enquanto brincava na porta de casa. A investigação concluiu que o tiro foi disparado por um policial militar. Apesar disso, ninguém foi preso.
Um ano depois, centenas de pessoas se reuniram no beco onde Eduardo foi assassinado para pressionar as autoridades para que os responsáveis sejam punidos. Participaram da ação diversas mãe que convivem com a mesma dor de perder um filho e com a revolta de não perceber interesse do Estado em punir os culpados. Em uma das falas, uma mãe disparou: - “Além da nossa dor, repare bem na nossa cor. Somos negras. Todas.”
17 de abril
Na casa da minha vó eu assistia a votação processo do impeachment na Câmara dos Deputados. Minha avó, reclama a cada 5 minutos dizendo não aguentar o que aqueles homens falavam. Meu tio e primo jogavam vídeo game. Parecia um dia comum.
Do meu computador, eu transcrevia a fala de cada deputado que justificava seu voto “pelo fim da corrupção”, mas que acumulava processos e condenações em sua trajetória política.
A cidade do Rio viveu um silêncio estranho, era quase impossível acreditar que, apesar de ter sido eleita com mais de 54 milhões de votos e que não cometeu crimes, a Presidente da República está sendo afastada. Um golpe foi iniciado neste dia por um congresso que não representa o povo Brasileiro.
21-23 de abril
Uma ciclovia desabou na zona sul, área nobre do Rio, matando 3 pessoas. No Alemão, favela na Zona Norte, um mototaxista foi assassinado pela PM. As reações não poderia ser mais diferentes.
Dia seguinte ao desastre na zona sul, uma mega-operação é realizada para localizar corpos desaparecidos, com helicópteros e o corpo de bombeiros. No Alemão, durante a madrugada, a polícia coloca o corpo do mototaxista dentro do carro e saiu do local. Mas a polícia não poderia ter feito isso, como o mototaxista estava morto, o local deveria ter sido isolado, preservando a cena do crime e depois disso ter sido feito uma perícia. Em seguida, os responsáveis deveriam ser punidos. Aqui no Alemão, as mortes não são investigadas.
A manchete do jornal conta do acidente na zona sul, com todos os detalhes bem apurados e excelentes materiais infográficos. Já a morte no alemão, tem uma chamada sem tanto esforço e comoção: “troca de tiros deixa mototaxista morto no Alemão”.
Moradores da região afirmam que não houve tiroteio na região no momento em que a PM atirou no rapaz. Na zona sul, a força-tarefa é para localizar os corpos. No Alemão, PM se esforça para esconde-los.
15 de maio
Era uma noite tranquila, mas a policia abordou um dos meus amigos em uma saída da comunidade. Ele foi solto logo depois, mas a memória do que vivemos naquele dia vai ficar aprisionado para sempre em nossas memórias.
Eu estava com dois amigos: Enderson, um jornalista baiano que expôs um massacre na periferia de Salvador, e Raull Santiago, um dos defensores dos direitos humanos mais influentes do complexo do Alemão.
Estávamos na casa de uma amiga que mora em uma das partes mais altas do Complexo do Alemão. Ela preparou um jantar para comemorar a visita do Enderson aqui na favela. É sempre uma festa quando podemos nos ver, já que a maioria das nossas interações acontecem pela internet. Faltando poucos minutos para a meia noite, saímos para o aniversário de outro amigo, o Helcimar.
Resolvemos nos dividir em 3 moto-taxis. Eu fui a primeira, e Enderson e Raull vieram logo depois. No trajeto, passamos pessoas na rua, crianças, policiais e traficantes também. Separados por poucos metros, eles pareciam conviver bem, cada um no seu espaço conhecendo seus limites e até acordos.
Cheguei no bar e fiquei aguardando os dois meninos, estranhei um pouco a demora e logo em seguida recebi no meu celular uma mensagem do Raull que questionava: “Dai, o Enderson já chegou?”. Eu respondi que não e automaticamente fiquei muito preocupada, já era noite e Enderson, por ser da Bahia, não conhece muito os becos da favela. Logo em Seguida Raull me respondeu na mesma mensagem “Deu Ruim”, essa frase confirmou a minha suspeita de que algo não estava como deveria.
Enderson havia sido abordado por alguns policiais. Ele vestia uma camisa com os dizeres “Jovem Negro Vivo”, uma campanha lançada pela Anistia Internacional que alertava para o alto nível de mortes provocadas pela polícia militar do Rio de Janeiro de jovens negros moradores de favela.
Desde que o Rio de Janeiro ganhou o direito de sediar as Olimpíadas em 2009, mais de 2,500 pessoas foram mortas pela polícia no Rio de Janeiro, de acordo com a Anistia. A maioria dessas vítimas são homens jovens e negros. Poucos casos são investigados e menos ainda punidos.
Enderson teve pelo menos 3 fuzis apontados para sua cabeça. A polícia perguntou se ele trabalhava com Raull Santiago. Nosso único questionamento é o motivo pelo qual a polícia ainda persegue aqueles que lutam para a garantia de um futuro melhor na favela? Porque estão tentando impor uma cultura de medo que tenta nos impedir de apontar os erros e sugerir mudanças?
Somos traficantes de cultura e informação, talvez por isso essa perseguição declarada, a sede de “vingança” que parte de alguns policiais que nos apontam, falam o nosso nome e ostentam suas armas. Nossa arma é a narrativa, nossa luta é pelo direito de viver a RUA e pela possibilidade de conviver sem tiroteios diários, sem o terror da polícia e sem medo do tráfico.