Building Squatters

Books in a makeshift library in the basement of an abandoned building in central Sao Paulo, Brazil, Feb. 1, 2006. Thousands are squatting in the 22 floor abandoned building commonly referred to as the Prestes Maia occupation, after the avenue it is on in central Sao Paulo. The library, opened in Dec. 2005 with the help of NGOs and a local school, has more that 3,000 titles - more than many public schools. The squatters are part of the Brazil's sem teto or 'roofless' movement - an urban coalition that is gathering steam in cities across the country. The movement is the urban equivalent to the better-known MST, Brazil's Movimento dos Sem Terra or Landless Movement which has spearheaded the campaign for land reform since the 1980s. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

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Books in a makeshift library in the basement of an abandoned building in central Sao Paulo, Brazil, Feb. 1, 2006. Thousands are squatting in the 22 floor abandoned building commonly referred to as the Prestes Maia occupation, after the avenue it is on in central Sao Paulo. The library, opened in Dec. 2005 with the help of NGOs and a local school, has more that 3,000 titles - more than many public schools. The squatters are part of the Brazil's sem teto or 'roofless' movement - an urban coalition that is gathering steam in cities across the country. The movement is the urban equivalent to the better-known MST, Brazil's Movimento dos Sem Terra or Landless Movement which has spearheaded the campaign for land reform since the 1980s. (Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

brazil sao paulo urban crime police social engle brasil