MTST holds march against evictions in São Paulo during pandemic.

247 - The Homeless Workers' Movement (MTST) is holding a march this Thursday, the 30th, in São Paulo, to demand the suspension of evictions and repossession orders during the coronavirus pandemic. The protesters are also calling for the release of funds for housing.

The national coordinator of the movement, Guilherme Boulos (PSOL), told... UOL that, despite advocating for social distancing, the march is taking place "as a last resort, because people are desperate."

“Many are at risk of being thrown onto the street in the coming weeks, meaning they could lose their homes in the midst of the pandemic, if evictions and repossession orders are not suspended. Many are unable to pay rent at the end of the month because they have become unemployed,” he stated.

The march began on Francisco Morato Avenue and ended at the Palácio dos Bandeirantes, the seat of the São Paulo state government. Boulos says the demonstration is to "dialogue" with the government of João Doria (PSDB), "but the government doesn't want to dialogue." He also states that in other countries around the world, evictions were suspended during the pandemic. "The solution adopted by the government during the pandemic has been to evict people and freeze resources for housing," he emphasized.