Last Saturday afternoon, June 29, 2013, favela residents from across the city along with attorneys, public defenders, and members of various social movements marched in protest against forced removals and the treatment of favelas by the mainstream media.

Starting in Horto

The march began at 2pm in Horto, the historic community at the edge of Rio’s Botanical Gardens that is currently fighting removal.

Community Coalitions Organize

Here pictured is André Constantine of Favela Não Se Cala, the grassroots coalition of favela residents from across the city, that played an organizational role in the event as did the National Movement for the Fight for Housing.

Experts Comment

Engineer and activist from the Network of Communities and Movements Against Violence, Mauricio Campos Santos, interviewed attorney and land rights professor Miguel Baldez about the Horto situation in historical context.

For the Democratization of the Media

Protestors protested the local media monopoly that presents biased coverage of Rio’s favelas, policies towards them, and resident perspectives.

Favelas Are Part of the City

Protesters wore t-shirts supporting causes and communities under threat and held signs asserting that favelas are part of the city.

Public Defenders Support

Public Defenders who are critical in providing the legal support to communities threatened with eviction participated.

Marching Past Globo

The march passed directly in front of the Globo Network’s headquarters. Organizações Globo is Latin America’s largest mass media group with the second largest commercial TV network in annual revenue worldwide.

Communities Under Threat Citywide

One sign highlighted the different locations of communities under threat of removal across the city.

Music and Festivities

As occurred in other marches with strong involvement by musicians, participants crouched in silence at strategic moments only to rise and jump when the drumming and chanting began anew.

Improvements Yes, Eviction No

One sign summed up the protest’s central message: that favela residents would prefer public works in their communities to removal and relocation.