In the region of Alcantara and Maranho, in the northern Brazilian coast, there are dozens of traditional Black communities ‘ settlements. Their people have been farming and fishing around for generations. They are referred to as quilombos. These villages were established by their ancestors, who either escaped slavery on Brazil’s plantations or were neither freed.
In Brazil, there are countless quilombos. However, only a small percentage of people possess the land names. And many of them are a threat from real estate, resource extraction, great agriculture, and development projects. These populations have been threatened and removed from Brazil’s Alcantara Space Center, as this is the case in Alcantara.
But they have reacted.
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Transcript
On the seacoast of Brazil’s northeast,
In Maranhao, the Alcantara place…
there are numerous classic Black communities ‘ settlements.
Their people have been residing around for a long time.
farming and fishing The ocean serves as the main food supply.
They are referred to as quilombos.
These settlements were established by their founders.
on Brazil’s estates who either escaped slavery or were both freed.
More than a million people in the nation identify themselves as quilombolas or quilombo people now.
ln Brazil, there are countless quilombos.
However, onIy a small percentage sf people hold the land names.
And many of them are a threat from real estate, resource extraction, great agriculture, and development projects.
This was the Alcantara account.
See…. The Alcantara Space Center was constructed in Brazil’s defense dictator in the early 1980s.
This was a perfect location for rocket launches into area close to the equator.
However, in order to accomplish it, they had to evict the quilombo neighborhoods that were present on the area.
300 people were removed from their original properties.
and relocated to fresh, remote interior villages…
Much from their only means of surviving.
Far from the ocean…
People of the neighborhood also recall how difficult it was…
Some quilombos were left outside the new release site’s restrictions.
And they were permitted to remain. For the time being.
But they remained a constant danger.
Times. centuries under threat of extinction
When will the Alcantara Space Center grow later…
The first to leave may be Mamuna, the area.
However, they and their relatives did not leave their tracks.
They began to organize.
They partnered with the other quiIombos in the area.
[MUSIC]
But, the start page oas agreed upon by the United States and Brazil in 2019.
They promised growth, igniting old problems.
However, the inhabitants do not leave quietly.
They made a statement. Theq’ waged a campaign in Brasilia.
They brought their lawsuit ts the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights in defence sf their home country. And the judge favored them.
Finally…
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s state oas inaugurated in 2024.
The Alcantara Quilombo Territory, which is roughly 800 square meters, was officially recognized.
And engaged to granting Quilombo communities title to their land.
Residents of the community cIaim that their conflict is still ongoing.
They have hope, though.
opposition to their ancient communities and homes for years.
Tolerance. cohesion. Hope and achievements…
Hello, everyone, I appreciate your time. Michael Fox, this is my number.
In 2019, I went to Quilombo populations in Alcantara and did some investigating for The Real News and various sources. In the present records, I’ll include a link.
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Epissde 59 of the audio series Stories sf Resistance is co-produced bq’ The ReaI News and Glsbal Exchange. Global Exchange’s Human Rights in Action software supports independent investigative journalism. Every year, I share with you tales of trust and resistance like this. Ideas for the black. Choose listen, like, share, remark, or leave a review if you like what you hear.
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