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The Affects of Pacification in Rio de Janeiro, Brasil

Andreona is a manicurist that travels around Centro and the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro to support herself and her two children. They were living in a favela in the north zone of rio when their home collapsed which left Andreona with a large scar on her right arm, they had no choice but to leave the favela since their home was beyond being able to be repaired after the collapse. She came to occupation with her two children because it was and still is the safest option her herself and her family. Andreona says that even though they are in a precarious situation that she likes it because she feels that they have a small community growing within the Planatu Hotel and that it's a safe space for everyone. These families having been occupying buildings for quite a long time in Rio de Janeiro. Some of them have been moving around for years while others have just now had to hold space to have a shelter for themselves and their children. Due to the rampant gentrification that's been spreading through Rio in the wake of the World Cup and the up coming Olympics many have been shoved to the edge financially and have been forced out through rising rents or being evicted by the Brazilian Military Police. They are occupying these buildings to use them as a bargaining tool with the city government. These buildings are all in desirable areas for development so the families are hoping that they can argue their case for social assistance by holding these spaces. They know the city wants to be able to demolish and sell the land the building are on to developers that are gentrifying Rio de Janeiro. By holding these spaces they effectively holding on to something the city wants and they believe they can use that as a bargaining tool to get more social assistance. Many were promised money when they left the favelas. The vast majority have not received the money or have had the city government try to divide them so that only some will get the money. The families have stuck together an

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