Building Squatters

Osmir Perreira da Silva looks as building he will used to walled off section of an abandoned building in central Sao Paulo, Brazil, Jan. 18, 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 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. The MST defends Brazil's impoverished rural workers and reclaims unproductive land for the dispossessed. The MSTC reclaims buildings for the homeless and for low income workers, many who work in the informal economy, who just are not able to enter the official housing market.(Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

9 / 30

Osmir Perreira da Silva looks as building he will used to walled off section of an abandoned building in central Sao Paulo, Brazil, Jan. 18, 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 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. The MST defends Brazil's impoverished rural workers and reclaims unproductive land for the dispossessed. The MSTC reclaims buildings for the homeless and for low income workers, many who work in the informal economy, who just are not able to enter the official housing market.(Australfoto/Douglas Engle)

brazil sao paulo urban crime police social engle brasil