At the request of the Italian Government, Italian sociologist Piero Mancini was arrested on June 22 in the city of Rio de Janeiro, where he has lived for 25 years. The Italian courts have sentenced him to 19 years in prison for acts committed during the time in which he fought as a leader of the Milan Metalworkers Union.

Piero Mancini, colleague of intellectual Toni Negri, was an important figure in the workers' and students' struggles in the years following May 1968. Having studied sociology at the University of Trento, he opted for an autonomist group, participating in the first collectives of feminists and autonomous workers. When strong repression began in Italy in the 1970s, Mancini, at the time one of the leaders of the autonomist movement in Milan, left the country.

Mancini is now a naturalised Brazilian, married, and has a 24-year- old daughter. To this day, the Italian Government has not granted amnesty to militants from the 1970's social movements, hunting them throughout the world. It has now classified Piero Mancini as a dangerous terrorist, and requested that the Brazilian Government extradite him.

Send an email opposing the extradition of Piero Mancini:
President of the Republic of Brazil, Sr. Luís Inácio Lula da Silva Palácio do Planalto, 3\272 andar 70150-900 - Bras7iacute;lia - DF Fax: (61) 3411.2222 e-mail: pr planalto.gov.br
Justice Minister, Dr. Márcio Thomas Bastos. Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bl. T, 4\272 andar 70064-900 - Brasília - DF Fax: (61)
Foreign Relations Minister, Ambassador Celso Luiz Nunes Amorim. Esplanada dos Ministérios - Palácio Itamarati - Gabinete 70170-900 - Brasília - DF
National Human Rights Secretary, Sr. Nilmário Miranda Esplanada dos Ministérios, Bl. T - Ed. Sede - sala 422 70064-900 - Brasília - DF Fax: (61) 3226.7980 e-mail: nilmario.miranda sedh.gov.br

This Saturday July 2nd, between 2pm and midnight, there will be an action to support the tenants of the Prestes Maia occupation, who are threatened with eviction. The building is located at Avenida Prestes Maia, No. 700, in downtown Sao Paulo, and houses approximately 2,500 people from the MSTC (Downtown Homeless People?s Movement).

The owners of the building, Jorge Hamuche and Eduardo Amorim, who do not possess the title deed, abandoned the building for twenty years and owe close to BRL$5 million (EUR$1.8 million) in taxes.

Despite this, the judge of the 25th Civil Jurisdiction of Sao Paulo granted an injunction for the repossession of the property, ignoring the residential rights of the occupants and even a UN report that declares; "the municipal government of Sao Paulo, through the Secretaria de Habitacao e Desenvolvimento Urbano and COHAB, should promote the renovation of the Prestes Maia building for housing and social interests, to meet the objective of the dispossession of the building by the municipality."

Photos | Video | About | UN report about Prestes Maia | UN recomendations for São Paulo occupations

Ernesto Torres, journalist for ?'Aire Libre' Community Radio and Indymedia Rosario volunteer, was attacked by members of the 'Barrios de Pie' movement while covering a protest march against the administration of current Argentinean President Néstor Kirchner. The attack occurred at midday on June 20, during the president's visit to the city of Rosario to celebrate Flag Day.

Militants from the 'Barrios de Pie' group - aligned with the national government - attacked members of organizations for Human Rights and the unemployed with pieces of wood while they protested a few blocks away from the official event. Ernesto Torres was the only correspondent present and was taking photos of the violence when he was hit forcefully in the head with a stick. His camera was then stolen and he was thrown to the ground, where dozens of people continued to kick him.

[Read more:] Kirchnerist gang attacks and robs Indymedia Rosário volunteer

[Links]: Indymedia Rosario

An intense action initiated by the ROS (Carabiniere / Italian Police) and DIGOS (a special police force used to repress social and political movements) has been carried out against anarchist collectives in several regions of Italy. As of May 19th, over 50 people have been arrested and face accusations such as being part of a ?Subversive Organization.?

The stated reason for the detentions is article 270 bis, from the Italian penal code, which has frequently been used by the Italian state against every form of dissident in the last few years. This allows the Italian government to make accusations, without any "proof", about the involvement of various people and collectives in specific cases.

The accusation of ?Subversive Association? has become an instrument of the Italian authority to suppress the in-numerous possibilities for struggle and resistance. From the legal point of view, as these accusations suggest, the only possible defense is the denial of personal beliefs and those of their companions.

Many protests have occurred in different parts of Italy against this latest wave of repression. Rallies were organized in Italy on May 21st. You can contact the Italian embassy and Itamaraty and demand masseurs against these fascist actions.

Embaixada da Itália no Brasil: (61) 443-0044 | E-mail: embitalia@embitalia.org.br

Polícia italiana prendeu mais cinco anarquistas | Caça às bruxas na Itália | Itália: Cinco anarquistas são presos em Lecce

On 19th may, the Bilbao Viscaya Bank (Mexico) notified the ?Associação Enlace Civil AC? that their bank accounts would be cancelled on June 19th. The Enlace Civil's activities in support of the Zapatista communities are legal and transparent, and have been properly documented and registered with the Government Departments, which has never given them permission to receive donations without having to pay taxes. This legal status means the Enlace Civil is subjected to rigorous and permanent financial surveillance by the Mexican authorities.

When questioned about the imposition made by the BV Bank, the manager refused to give an explanation, and only answered that the bank should protect ifself from money laundering, and he was doing what he had been told to do. About a month ago the Bank did the same thing with the Maia Health Indigenous Organization of Chiapas State (OSIMECH), a civil organization that promotes health in the indigenous communities in Altos de Chiapas: without no reason or explanation they were told that there bank accounts was going to be shut down.

The action of the BV Bank, together with the paramilitaries and the political and economical elite of Mexico, is part of the silent battle against the zapatistas communities. The Enlace Civil organization calls on everyone who is in solidarity with the zapatista movement to publicly denounce the BV Bank action, in Mexico and in the world, to make sure that they know that we refuse to permit them to abet conquest, racism, disregard for humanity, and the war of annihilation (against the indigenous peoples of Mexico)

[Sites]: Bilbao Viscaya Bank | Enlace Civil | EZLN | FZLN | Rádio Insurgente Voz do EZLN | We have intelligence and capacity to decide over our own destiny |

In the dawn of April 1st, died in Goiânia, Brazil, Sônia Chaves dos Santos, homeless, 36 years old. She was living in the sport facility of the Capuava neighborhood, one of the places where families from the Ocupation Movement "Real Dream" were staying.

She was at the city's hospital and apparently died due to multiple organ failure. Sônia was mother of three children living with her in the facility.

The attorneys of the Movement "Land, Work and Liberty" appealed to the Public Ministery to carry out an autopsy of the body of Sônia and determine the real cause of death. The findings of the Legal Medical Institute were that Sônia died due to the action of a bacteria.

The state continues to act irrespective and repressively against the homeless. Adding to the poor conditions in which the families are living in the sport facility, in March 23, five militants of the movement were arrested when trying to occupy a provisory area that belongs to the city administration. They were in arrest for three days and then released.

The Department of Transport and Terminals of Santa Catarina (Deter), is initiating a project integrate the region of Grand Florianopolis into public transport networks. The project will create ten new terminals in the cities of Biguacu, Sao Jose, Palhoca and Santo Amaro da Imperatriz, linked to the central terminal on the island of Florianopolis.

The project is based in the Integrated Transport System of Florianopolis (SIT), and the terminals will be administered by companies, such as Jotur, which have dominated this sector for twenty years. The project, which covers several municipalities, will cost 100 million reais (37 million USD) and be financed in part by the Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Economico e Social (National Social and Economic Development Bank-BNDES, for its initials in Portuguese). The high price of constructing these terminals, which will later be given over to companies, will bring up ticket prices. In Florianopolis, companies demanded a 33% increase in tariffs charged on tickets in 2003, the year the SIT was initiated.

Even as yet unfinalised, the project is already menacing the population of Palhoca. Yesterday, the 9th of march, professors and students of the Ivo Silveira school in Palhoca took action against the prefecture?s proposal to give up school playground land to the company Jotur, to build one of the terminals. The move would cede the 3,000 metres of land, which is currently property of the state government, to the company for free. Jotur would further receive an estimated 10 million reals for construction costs from BNDES.

In spite of demonstrations opposing transgenic crops, the Brazilian Chamber of Deputies passed a Biosecurity bill yesterday (2 March), which regulates the production of genetically modified organisms. The project received 352 votes in favour and 60 against, and it gives CTNBio powers to liberalise the plantation and commercialisation of these products. The Federal Government had already given the go ahead to transgenic crops through the Provisional Measure 223. Under pressure from pro stem-cell research groups (stem-cell research is also covered by the bill), the president of the Chamber, Severino Cavalcanti, put the matter up for voting.

There are no tests to prove that transgenic crops are safe for the environment and for human consumption. Indeed, it has been proved that the high level of herbicides used in transgenic plantations pollute underground reservoirs and the soil. Seed diversity is also in danger. GM seeds develop immunity [to herbicides], demanding ever-increasing doses, damaging the environment and leading to uniformity of seeds, that will develop increasingly similar characteristics. The argument that increased food production as a result of transgenic crops will put an end to hunger is also refuted. According to the UN?s Food and Agriculture Organisation, 826 million people reached the highest level of hunger while food production increased by 32% in recent years.

In São Paulo the march counted on the presence of 35 a thousand women, about 110 buses had all come of the country bringing women of diverse social movements. It was organized in sections of solidarity, equality, justice and peace, freedom having represented the axles of the Letter.

On March 8th, 2005, a national mobilization organized by the Worldwide March of Women, was held in São Paulo to support the passage of denunciation, protest, and construction of alternatives for the five continents. As the result of the long process of participation and convergence of people and regional communities, a letter from the women of Brazil to all of humanity is currently being signed. The letter is based on the values of equality, freedom, solidarity, justice and peace. After it?s signed in Brazil, the letter is being passed along to 49 countries, finally arriving at Burkina Faso on October 17th. On that day, activities are planned worldwide to occur, with 24 hours of feminist solidarity to complete the letter?s voyage.

Participants of the march in all the continents created the letter collectively through debates and suggestions. Presented for the first time in Porto Alegre, during Social Forum 2005, activists in Brazil are working to construct agendas of mobilization and action based on the express values of the document.

In São Paulo, 35,000 women participated in the march, with about 110 buses coming from all over the country bringing together women of diverse social movements. It was organized by the various movements based around solidarity, equality, justice and peace, with freedom being represented and defended by the core values of the letter. The day finished with a show in the center of the city and the passing of the letter to the next country, Argentina.

We, the leaders of the indigenous rights commission of Mato Grosso do Sul, we are meeting and talking over this subject currently discussed by Brasilian society at large- the death of indigenous children as a result of malnutrition. We are very sad at the deaths of dozens of our children over the last few months. As we are grateful for all the aid that we receive, we feel offended that we are not being listened to and respected in many aspects of our way of being and of our rights.

At the root of this situation lies the lack of land, which is a consequence of the historical theft and destruction of our traditional territories and of the strategy of confinement, as well as of our loss of liberty and almost of our will to live. Here in Mato grosso do Sul, we the indigenous were expelled from our lands to make way for cattle ranches and, later, huge monoculture plantations of crops like soya. It was process of violence against people and our ways of life. The forests where we used to hunt were destroyed by madeireiros (loggers) and the tractors of fazendeiros (large land holders). It was there we used to collect honey and fruits, as well as materials to make our houses or utensils.

The deaths from malnutrition are a result of many elements. Amongst these is the loss of land, which leads to disruption and disorder of our economy; of our production methods; and of how we feed ourselves and organize our families.

Above all we demand respect and justice. We do not want to be an object of charity or of paternalistic projects any longer. We have the right to be different and free, to exercise our autonomy, and to be heeded within the political structure.

We are not a beaten people, in spite of the wounds we have suffered- we are confident in our knowledge and we believe that one day we will reconstruct this land without the ills that currently afflict it.

After the violent eviction suffered this Wednesday, the 16th of February, many of the families from the occupation Sonho Real spent the night at the Catedral of Goiania. Others stayed in a Gym, because no other space was provided for them after their eviction. IMC reporters are now hearing a great number of reports of police violence and authority abuse. Even neightbors from the occupation have made reports about being attacked by the police. Some have sought medical attention.

A rally was called for today, the 17th of February at 9 AM in front of the Catedral of Goiania to protest against the violence and to demand punishment for the perpetrators. During the rally the homeless held a funeral for the two 2 militants killed in Wednesday's raid, Pedro Nascimento Silva and Wagner da Silva Moreira. During the demonstration some undercover cops were identified by the squatters while they were trying to arrest of one of the leaders of the Occupation. Trying to avoid prison, the homeless surrounded the police officers who shot many times in the direction of the crowd. In as attempt to escape, they ran to a square near the Military Police who proceeded to set up a police line and protect the undercover cops.

Still coming in are many uncomfirmed reports of murders and extreme police violence, in addition to the reports about the missing bodies. A recent post to IMC reports bodies that had been hidden in tanks or burned by the police). At this time, some of the arrested remain in jail and it is estimated at least 50 people missing, based on the various eye witness reports.

A large military policy operation with 2,500 men has started this morning (February 16) for the eviction of the land occupation Sonho Real (Real Dream) in the city of Goiânia, Brazil. Two people got killed, over 800 people got arrested and several people are wounded (five were very seriously wounded). Among the arrested, two Indymedia volunteers, one from Goiânia and one from Indymedia New York.

The occupation started in may 2004 in an area which has been abandoned for years and quickly gathered 3,000 families. In January, Justice ordered the eviction of the families and since then police have been terrifying the families with death threats and sudden attacks. In February 11, police showed up suddenly and shot gas and concussion bombs and fired rubber bullets against the people. One child got hit by a concussion bomb. On February 15, in another attack, police shot bombs and fired with guns. Two people got hurt. After pressure from social movements and human rights groups, state of Goiás Governor Marconi Perillo committed himself not to send police to evict people in a violent way (you can hear his commitment in this recorded audio. Today's attack and the so far confirmed death of two people showed he did not stick to his words.

You can pressure authorities for the release of the arrested and for the investigation of the murders:

Marconi Ferreira Perillo Júnior
Goias State Governor
Phone # 55 - 62 - 2131456 r.231
Fax # 55 - 62 - 2131479 or 2131481
E-mail: governador@palacio.go.gov.br

Jonathas Silva
Public Security Secretary
Phone # 55 - 62 - 2651000 or 2651050
Fax # 55 - 62 - 2651001 or 2651002
E-mail: Isabela@go.gov.br

The Peace Rally in the beginning of the V WSF gathers 200.000 people according to the Rio Grande do Sul military brigade. Considering the initials objectives of the event, the rally had an excessive carnival effect.

Social movements as the ?Movimento dos Atingidos por Barragens? ( Hit Barrage Moviment) and the ?Movimento Nacional de Luta por Moradia? (National Moviment of struggles for Habitation), realize protests of direct action. In the dawn of the 25th, the MNLM occupied a federal health public building, abandon a long time ago in downtown of Porto Alegre. Wednesday morning (26th) MAB realized a series of blocks in highways in 4 different points in the State of Santa Catarina and Rio Grande do Sul.

Thursday, 27th, the day started with a speech of the Brazilian president Lula in front of a very distinguished audience, composed by thousands of ?petistas? wearing shirts who said ?100% Lula?, militants of PSTU, PSOL and people with no political affiliation who protest inside and outside the Gigatinho (place where the speech happens). After Lula?s speech, two students who hissed the president were arrested and attacked by securities.

In the end of the first day of activities, the Culture?s Minister, Gilberto Gil, visited the Share Knowledge Lab and participate in an activity about Free Software . During the visitation, groups connected to the media democratization movement made a big protest demanding explanations from the minister about the repression of the free and communitary radios. The debate was not very long because the Minister Gilberto Gil and his advisers did not attend the request of the free and alternative media groups to give an interview away from the coorporated media.

Pictures:
Opening march: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10
Lula e vaia

In Portuguese:
Marcha de abertura | Ocupação do MNLM | Ação do MAB | Policia reprime MAB | Ônibus do Equador é proibido de se dirigir ao FSM. | Gilberto Gil visita o Laboratório de Conhecimentos Livres | Ministro Gil discute repressão às rádios comunitárias | Cláudio Prado em entrevista com o CMI | Estudantes são agredidos e presos por protestarem contra o governo | Site do FSM | Rizoma de Rádios Livres

A year and a half since its inception, the Homeless Movement of Salvador (MSTS), in the state of Bahia, held its first conference on January 14, 15, and 16 to discuss and ratify its internal structure, create an organizational structure for the movement, establish closer relations with the movements in the metropolitan region of Salvador, and found the Homeless Movement of Bahia, with which they plan to advance the struggle for housing in the interior of the state.

Soon after establishing its new organizational structure, the MSTS resumed its routine of occupying buildings that are abandoned and without any social function, entering an old school, a strip mall, and an unused shed. Despite of eviction notices served on some occupations, the occupations may be extended, because the movement guarantees that will not leave any families out on the street.

In Portuguese:

RELATOS E DOCUMENTOS DO CONGRESSO
Abertura do Congresso || Primeiro dia de atividades || Segundo dia de atividades || Ocupar, organizar e resistir || Quem somos e para onde vamos?

OCUPAÇÕES RECENTES
Sem-teto de Salvador ocupam três prédios em 72 horas || Ocupações mantidas pelo Movimento de Sem-Teto de Salvador (MSTS)

OUTRAS ATIVIDADES DO MOVIMENTO
Marcha do movimento em agosto de 2004 (Entrevista com Pedro - Entrevista com coordenador da ocupação do Clube Português - Entrevista com Carlos Pronzato) || MSTS colabora com luta estudantil pelo passe livre || Oficina "Arte e Cultura nos Movimentos Sociais" durante a ocupação da Reitoria da UFBA (ago. 2004) || Presença do MSTS na Casa do Estudante: 1 | 2 | 3

The federal government gave the go-ahead for the planting of genetically modified soy, which already makes up 22.4% of soy production, for the third time. The Provisional Measure (MP) 233 was sanctioned on January 12 and published in the Diário Oficial da União (official diary of the union) on January 13. The measure regulates the planting and sale of genetically modified soy between December 31 of 2004 and January 31 of 2006, with a possible 180 day extension.

Having been unable to pass the Biosecurity Law in congress, the federal government once again resorted to the Provisional Measure. In 2002 and 2003, under pressure from large landowners, Monsanto and Bunge companies, and ruralist members of congress, the government approved MPs 113 and 131, under the pretext of not wasting away the illegal genetically modified soy.

The MP 223 does not require the realization of an Environmental Impact Study to determine the possible risks to health and the environment. The text also removes responsibility from the companies producing genetically modified soy, requiring only that producers sign onto the terms of the agreement regarding responsibility and conformity of conduct.

In portuguese:

Diário Oficial publica lei que autoriza plantio e venda de soja transgênica | Sancionada MP que regulamenta plantio e comercialização de soja transgênica | Suborno da Saúde e da Alimentação | O que é alimento transgênico?

vídeos :: o correto manejo ecológico para a soja transgênica :) | agricultores processados pela monsanto | ação direta contra os transgênicos em supermercado de belo horizonte (fórum social brasileiro, 2003)

sítios :: Contra Encontro Iguaçú 2005 | Campanha Por Um Brasil Livre de Transgênicos | CMI Biotecnologia

Cloves Henrique Batista da Rocha, known as Coalhada, of the FM Alternative Radio in Goiania(State of Goias - in the Middle West of Brazil), was convicted by a federal court last December for the "crime of clandestine radio broadcasting".

A community broadcaster for over 10 years, Coalhada was unjustly judged and convicted by the substitute federal judge of the 5th district of Goias, José Godinho Filho, who, along with the Ministério Publico Federal (Federal Public Prosecutor), interpreted community radio broadcasting as a crime. According to the sentence he received, Coalhada will be required to serve 1440 hours of community service and pay a fine equal to 30 minimum wages, in addition to having a permanent criminal record.

The FM Alternative Radio was shut down in 2002, in yet another joint action by the Agencia Nacional de Telecomunicaçoes (Anatel) (National Telecommunications Agency) and the Federal Police. In that action, more than 5000 reais worth of equipment, which had been obtained through donations from the local community, were confiscated.

This is one more proof of the public authority being compromised by the interests of the monopolies and the 'Barons' of communication in Brazil. The persecution of free and community radio has been systematic, and Anatel and organizations like the Associação Brasileira de Rádio e Televisão (Abert) (Brazilian Association of Radio and Television) do not spare efforts in seeking the criminalization of these outlets. There is an urgent need for mobilization against this arbitrariness and against this monopoly tied to a vast bureaucracy and rivers of cash.

Send messages questioning the conviction of Coalhada to the offices of Judge José Godinho Filho.

In portuguese:
Leia o Manifesto Rádios Livres e Comunitárias | Imprima, copie e distribua!!
Publicações relacionadas: [ Entrevista com Armando Coelho, autor de Rádio Comunitária Não é Crime - Rádio Pega Eu | Vídeo com o Armando Coelho em 6 partes: 1 2 3 4 5 6 | 16 rádios fechadas em Pelotas | Desobediência Civil Contra o Fechamento de Rádios | Rádios Continuam sendo fechadas | Mais rádios fechadas pelo Governo" | Duas Comunitárias Fechadas no Rio | Rádio fechada em Sorocaba e assessor preso | Rádios Livres - Resistência no Ar | Manifesto do Tortura Nunca Mais a favor das comunitárias | O que são Rádios Livres | Manifesto Rádio Muda | Rádio livre não derruba avião, diz gerente da Anatel em SP | Movimento de rádios de baixa potência cresce e apodrece | Manifesto Rádio Restinga | A tragédia das RadCom | Repressão policial continua sobre as RadCom | Ativistas ocupam Anatel contra o fechamento de rádios | História das rádios livres no Brasil | Entrevista com autora de dissertação sobre livre e comunitárias | Rádios apreendidas em 2003 | RAD COM - Repressão - Habeas Corpus a favor de comunicadores comunitários de BH | Imagens - Viva as Rádios Livres!! | Dossiê da Perseguição do Oligopólio da Mídia ]
Rádios: [ Servidor Rádio Livre - Rizoma de Rádios | Rádio Grilo | Rádio Muda | Rádio Tróia | Rádio Interferência | Área de Rádios Livres das Américas ]

Last Wednesday (29/12) around 150 people took part in a protest for free access and a reduction in bus ticket prices in Maceio, Alagoas. The demonstration was a direct response to new prices, which have increased by 16%, from R$1,25 to R$1,45. Whistles, belts (?) and flags were used as decorations. Shouts and speeches set the tone. A road was blocked with burning tyres and protest messages were attached to a number of coaches. The demonstration was dispersed by the BOPE (Special Operations Battalion), who used teargas bombs to destroy, injuring 4, including a street vendor who was working at the time. A new event was convened for January 12.

Report | Movement's Website

The Brazilian government returned its nuclear program through the construction of the Angra 3 Plant and through uranium enrichment - but not without criticism by the civil society. According to Greenpeace, the Angra plants 1 and 2 had cost 54 billion and produced only 2% of the energy consumed in the country; also, there's not a 100% safe method to store the nuclear waste.

In the whole world protests against the nuclear plants happenned, like the aborigenes' struggle in Australia, that after 51 years they could block the building of a nuclear waste depot in their lands.

In Portuguese: Say No to Angra 3 | 51 years fighting against the poison | Better active than radioactive! | Activist died in France | Marco Camenisch: A Warrior! | Argentina: Campaign "Not to the Nuclear Garbage in Australia" | Greenpeace

From December 13th to the 17th, the cities of Belo Horizonte and Ouro Preto, in the state of Minas Gerais, hosted the 27th meeting of the Common Market Group and of the C?pula of Ouro Preto. The event brought together heads of state, ministers and presidents of central banks of South America and Africa, as well as businesspeople who staged a parallel business forum. In addition to representing an important step in consolidating the strategy for multinational expansion of the Brazilian economic domination over Latin America and Africa, the meeting also signaled Brazil's role as a regional power and as a needed mediator to consolidate geopolitical control of the South and to implement the agenda of transnational finance capital.

The Minas Gerais Committee of the FSM announced that the week's events were made possible at a cost of 5 million reais to the state government. The lampposts of the state's capital were festooned with banners publicizing the event, in spite of its being definitively not open to the public. On Friday, an enormous security and infrastructure apparatus was mobilized for the dignitaries to go to Ouro Preto to sign the meeting's decisions and lunch on regional food. In both cities popular demonstrations were small but nevertheless created some stir.

In Portuguese: Read the full text Photos | Protest at the Aecio Neves Dinner | Changes in Ouro Preto | Protest in Ouro Preto | 'Negotiation' with GATE (audio) | 'Negotiation' with Military Police (audio) |

The worker Josuel Freitas da Silva was killed with two shots on the night of Thursday, Decemeber 15 in the township of São José da Coroa Grande, on the southern coast of the state of Pernambuco. Josuel lived in the Manguinhos camp, on a farm by the same name. He and 80 other families camped at the site have been (and continue to be) threatened by gunmen since they occupied the land in late 2002. They have made several complaints to the local police precinct as well as to the agrarian hearings organ of Incra (National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform).

Also in rural Pernambuco, in the town of Passira, two other landless were shot to death on the morning of the 17th. They were brothers and lived in the Gregório Bezerra encampment, on the Recreio farm. They were at their family's home, near the camp, when gunmen invaded the premises, shooting.

Four days after the killings of five landless of the MST in Felisburgo (MG) on November 20, armed men opened fire on the 180 families camped in Recreio. As reported at the time, the superintendent of Incra in Pernambuco visited the site and determined the presence of private military forces hired by the landowners to defend their unproductive landholdings.

In Brazil, 46% of farmland is in the hands of 1% of landowners. It is the second country in the world in concentration of land ownership. According to a recent inquiry by the Pastoral Land Commission (CPT) of the Catholic church, 29 landless workers have been killed this year in Brazil's rural lands.

In Portuguese: Read the full text | MST site comment on this feature