MST occupies Incra headquarters and claims land in the Federal District.

Members of the Landless Workers' Movement (MST), from the Federal District regional branch, occupied the headquarters of the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) in Brasília; the group prevented employees from entering during this period; at least 2 people who work in the building, which also houses the Ministry of Agrarian Development, were unable to enter; the movement demands the recognition of areas designated for agrarian reform in the Federal District.

April 17, 2015, 17:13 hUpdated July 05, 2018, 13:00 pm

Members of the MST (Landless Workers' Movement), from the Federal District regional branch, occupied the headquarters of the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) in Brasília; the group prevented employees from entering during this period; at least 2 people who work in the building, which also houses the Ministry of Agrarian Development, were unable to enter; the movement demands the recognition of areas designated for agrarian reform in the Federal District (Photo: Leonardo Lucena).

Andreia Verdélio - Reporter for Agência Brasil

Members of the Landless Rural Workers Movement (MST), from the Federal District region, occupied the headquarters of the National Institute for Colonization and Agrarian Reform (Incra) in Brasília today (17). The group arrived at 6 am and left the site around 10 am, preventing employees from entering during that period. At least 2 people who work in the building, where the Ministry of Agrarian Development also operates, were unable to enter.

The movement is demanding recognition of areas designated for agrarian reform in the Federal District. "These are areas that, to this day, have not received a technical assessment from either Incra or Terracap [Federal District Development Agency]. That's why we are here asking for a dialogue to be opened with Incra to recognize these unproductive areas that are being taken over by land grabbers," said Bruno Leandro, from the MST-DF coordination.

According to him, the list of demands had already been sent to the president of Incra, Maria Lucia Falcon, appointed on March 18. "Our demands were presented, but we were not received by her, so we held this protest to force a meeting within Incra so that our demands can be met."

According to Catielle Brandão, also from the MST-DF coordination, an Incra advisor has already received the list of demands and has committed to the institute's president receiving the group on Thursday (23).

Military police officers who monitored the demonstration estimate that 80 protesters occupied the Incra headquarters.

Catielle highlighted that the purpose of the event is also to commemorate the 19th anniversary of the Eldorado dos Carajás massacre (PA). "Those responsible remain unpunished to this day, so until justice is served, we will continue to remember our comrades."

On April 17, 1996, 19 MST (Landless Workers' Movement) activists were murdered in the municipality of Eldorado dos Carajás, in southern Pará. Dozens of landless peasants were injured in the incident. The confrontation occurred when 1,5 activists camped in the region decided to protest the delay in land expropriation. The Pará Military Police were tasked with removing them from the site because they were allegedly obstructing Highway BR-155, which connects Belém to the south of the state.

The Incra press office confirmed to Agency Brazil The meeting with the landless movement in the Federal District is scheduled for the 23rd, when they will discuss the MST's list of demands.