The Vila Autódromo community, located in the exclusive neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro,
has existed for more than 40 years and developed without any public resources from the government.
Now, because of the construction of the Olympic Park, the federal, state and municipal governments
want to erase the history of the community.
On October 12, 2011, the Municipal Secretary of Housing began registering homes in Vila Autódromo.
This is the first step in the planned eviction of more than 1,000 residences of the community.
'City Hall's office, good afternoon.'
"All resettlements are being conducted through dialogue or the court system. No one is being removed by force."
Carlos Arthur Nuzman, president of the Brazilian Olympic Committee
They got here saying they needed to do the registry.
That we had already lost and if we refused they would come back to demolish (our homes).
We would lose our homes either way. That's how they arrived, intimidating people.
Yes?
Good afternoon.
I'm still figuring out how the process is going to be...
Gabriel Caroli - The Press Officer for the Rio Municipal Department of Housing
I was talking to my nephew about it, but I also need to wait for my sister to discuss it with her.
But let me explain something to you - we are from the Municipal Secretary of Social Assistance.
We're here to do the single registry, the one that gives you access to all of the government's aid programs.
Yes, but I still need to discuss it with my sister because she needs to be here too...
I see.
To see what the process will be - how long are you here?
Today and tomorrow.
Is this for the eviction of the community?
Well, the Housing Department already talked to you, right?
No, no one said anything to me.
Is it for the eviction or you don't know?
No, we are here about benefits.
And what are the benefits?
Are you the owner?
One of them.
Did you already authorize your space to be measured?
Not yet, I'm still talking to them.
She didn't finish answering my question.
Well you asked about Housing, and they're right there but you didn't let them in.
No, but I--
They don't inform us.
When you ask a question that no one has asked...
Most of the people in the community are lay, so they don't ask that question.
What is the intention, of removing people from the community?
So we've been living and working here for many years...
Every time we ask important questions about what they're doing in the community, they run away.
They don't give you a concrete answer.
When I asked if it was for the eviction of the people, they said they didn't know.
So you have to go talk to someone else. That makes it hard.
This is an abuse, this is unheard of. I have grandchildren, I have my daughter, this should not be done.
Go ask (mayor) Paes and (governor) Cabral if they want to live in 40 square meters. It's an absurd, awful thing.
This is a single house, right?
No sir, this is my house and my daughter's house is above.
My house has everything: three bedrooms, living room, kitchen, bathroom, a huge garage.
I'm not giving up my home - no way. Me and my husband have been here our whole lives.
I'm irritated, not with you personally but with what they're offering me.
Thank you for your attention.
They marked my house (for removal) without my authorization and also marked my sister's here.
This resident has been here for 12 years.
And the desire is to continue living here.
(Markings on houses in the community made by the Municipal Housing Department)
Municipal law 34522: "The resettlement process is based on the participation of the benefitted population
in all of the stages of the process, searching for consensual solutions and the commitment to the project's success.
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Produced by the Communication Collective of MNLM-RJ
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The Vila Autódromo community, located in the exclusive neighborhood of Barra da Tijuca in Rio de Janeiro,