If John ignores it, Jackson prevents the eviction of Novo Amanhecer.

ASN - Responding to an official request from the Government of Sergipe, through the Secretary of Public Security, João Eloy, Judge Rafael Reis, of the 12th Civil Court, decided to suspend the repossession of the area occupied by families from the Novo Amanhecer movement, in the Costa Nova complex, 17 de Março neighborhood, belonging to the city hall of the capital. The atmosphere at the site was tense and the protesters had no intention of vacating the space, and to avoid conflict, the Military Police were demobilized. The Government's request was based, above all, on the existence of real risks for the occupants, many of whom are elderly and children.

Demonstrating social sensitivity, the magistrate heeded the technical assessment from the Public Security Secretariat (SSP) which indicated an imminent conflict situation, as the protesters were adamant about not complying with the court order. Barricades had also been erected at the site to hinder the actions of the police forces.

From early on, the acting governor, Jackson Barreto, sought a negotiated and peaceful solution for the repossession in favor of the Aracaju City Hall, even calling Mayor João Alves Filho himself. Jackson Barreto also spoke with the general defender, Raimundo Veiga, requesting that the State Public Defender's Office mediate the conflict to avoid any harm to the families, especially since there are children, elderly people, and people with special needs.

Public Defender General Raimundo Veiga requested that the public defenders from the Neighborhood and Human Rights Centers, Alfredo Nikolaus and Miguel Cerqueira, file a precautionary action seeking the revocation of the repossession order, which was filed on Tuesday afternoon.

SSP Planning

More than 300 military police officers, firefighters, and civil police officers were present from the early hours of Tuesday morning around a square in the Costa Nova IV neighborhood, in the southern part of the capital, to enforce Judge Rafael Reis's decision ordering the repossession of the public space, which has been occupied for more than three months by people from the "Ocupação Novo Amanhecer" movement.

Several attempts at negotiation between the police, the Brazilian Bar Association (OAB/SE), the Public Defender's Office, and representatives of the City Hall were unsuccessful. "Another commission of representatives from civil society went again to talk to the leaders of the occupation so that they would leave the site peacefully," explained the commander of the capital's police force, Colonel Jackson Nascimento, in the morning.

To hinder police work, the occupants erected a barricade with old furniture and appliances at various entrances to the square. According to representatives of the occupation, there are 311 families from the 17 de Março neighborhood on the site, who, according to them, will only leave after the Aracaju City Hall registers all families to receive housing assistance or even a house to live in.

The situation became tense, and police negotiators used all peaceful means to prevent the invasion, given that the occupants were armed with sticks, stones, machetes, and sickles, and prepared to resist. A large number of children, elderly people, and pregnant women were present. During a heated moment, when the occupants were chanting war cries, a woman became ill and was attended to by the protesters themselves.

Police have not ruled out the presence of weapons and Molotov cocktails in the shacks. Several protesters have their faces covered and are using makeshift shields made from tin barrels and plastic.

In addition to the police structure, a command center was also set up in a neighboring square, which includes the Mobile Emergency Care Service (SAMU), representatives from the Human Rights Commission of the State Bar Association (OAB/SE), lawyers appointed by the occupation, the Guardianship Council, the Council for the Elderly and Disabled, and other sectors.

Photos: Infonet Portal / Press Office