Solidarity rally for the "People Without Fear" occupation gathers 15 in São Bernardo.

Current Brazil Network - Social, student and political leaders and personalities joined together this Sunday afternoon (17) in support of the thousands of homeless workers at the Povo Sem Medo occupation, in São Bernardo do Campo, against the aggression suffered the day before. On Saturday, a resident of the occupation was shot in the arm. He underwent surgery and remains under observation. The shots came from a high-end condominium next to the site.

The national coordinator of the Homeless Workers' Movement (MTST), Guilherme Boulos, described the attack as a "regrettable episode" and attributed it in part to Mayor Orlando Morando's unwillingness to seek a negotiated solution to the housing issue – on the contrary, he encourages intolerance.

"There are people here in São Bernardo saying absurd things about our occupation, starting with the mayor. When he acts this way, the message he sends is very bad. People from one of the buildings in the neighboring condominiums fired a gun, in a criminal and fascist act, showing disrespect for the people's struggle."

He emphasized that the occupation is taking place in an organized manner, without a single crumpled piece of paper being thrown outside the occupied area, which does not diminish the prejudice of certain groups against those who fight for housing. "There are people who, when they go out onto their balcony and see poor people on the other side, think it's wrong."

Boulos emphasized that the occupation is mostly made up of workers who are unemployed "not because they want to be," but because of the "criminal" policies practiced by the "illegitimate" government of President Michel Temer (PMDB-SP).

The skyrocketing unemployment rate was highlighted by the president of CUT-SP, Douglas Izzo. "It's a reflection of the crisis scenario in Brazil. We are living through one of the worst moments in history, with the dismantling of public policies and social rights. And not only in this, but in other episodes, we see how a climate of hatred has spread, and the repressive apparatus of the State is always used against workers and left-wing movements," Izzo observed.

The general secretary of CUT-SP, João Cayres, criticized the administration of Mayor Orlando Morando (PSDB). "The scenario of violence manifests itself in various ways. The city's mayor released a video that, in our assessment, incites hatred. He says he doesn't negotiate when he should be acting as a conciliator and promoting peace, not the opposite," he stated.

Watch the TVT report about Temer and the "Minha Casa Minha Vida" program: 

Following a court decision that suspended the repossession order against the occupation, the members intend to strengthen their mobilization to pressure the city government to negotiate. The area of ​​approximately 60 square meters, now occupied by about 7 families, had been abandoned for more than 40 years, according to the MTST (Homeless Workers' Movement).

São Paulo city councilman Eduardo Suplicy (PT-SP) spoke of the need to resist any provocations, called the attack "cowardly," and highlighted the organization of the occupation. "I want to join everyone in proposing to the construction company that they sit down at the negotiating table with you, the mayor, the governor, and the president, even if he hasn't been elected yet," said Suplicy.

The approximately 15 people who attended the event, according to organizers' estimates, responded to the speeches with shouts, chants, and slogans. "Those who are bothered should move," protested federal deputy Orlando Silva (PCdoB-SP). Deputy Vicentinho (PT-SP) also spoke out: "You have the right to land to live on and reside." He also addressed the residents of the surrounding condominiums: "None of us is better than anyone else. These people who are here didn't come for fun or amusement. They came out of necessity."