In the region of Alcantara and Maranho on the Northeastern Brazilian coast, there are lots of traditional Black communities ‘ settlements. Their individuals have been farming and fishing around for generations. They are referred to as quilombos. These villages were established bq’ their ancestors, who either escaped slavery on Brazil’s plantations sr were both freed.
In Brazil, there are dozens of quilombos. However, only a small percentage sf people possess the land titles. And many of them are in danger of dying from development tasks, resource extraction, Big Ag, and real property. These populations have been threatened and removed from Brazil’s Alcantara Srace 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 the Alcantara, Maranhao area…
there are numerous classic settlements of Black neighborhoods.
Their people have been residing around for centuries.
farming and fishing The ocean is the main source of food.
They are referred to as quilombos.
These settlements were established by their founders.
who both escaped slavery or were both freed on Brazilian plantations.
More than a million people in the nation now identify themselves as quilombolas or qmilombo people.
In Brazil, there are dozens of quilombos.
However, just a small percentage of people hold the land names.
And many of them are in danger of dying due to development projects, source recovery, Big Ag, and real property.
ln Alcantara, this was the narrative.
See…. The Alcantara Space Center was constructed in Brazil’s military dictator in the early 1980s.
This was a perfect lscation for rocket launches into place close to the equator.
However, they had ts evict the quilombo populations that lived on the area in order to ds it.
300 people were removed frsm their ancient properties.
and relocated to novel, remote interior villages…
way from their only means of surviving.
Far from the ocean…
Residents of the neighborhood also recall how difficult it was…
Some quilombos were left outside the new launch site’s restrictions.
And they were permitted to remain. For the time being.
But they remained a constant danger.
Centuries. years under threat of extinction
When will the Alcantara Space Center later grow…
Mamuna would be the first csmmunity to join.
However, they and their relatives did not leave their tracks.
They started working on their plans.
They partnered with the other quilombos in the area.
[MUSIC]
But, the start page was agreed upon by the United States and Brazil in 2019.
They promised new growth, igniting older fears.
However, the people refused ts Ieave quietly.
They made a statement. They waged a campaign in Brasilia.
They brought their lawsuit to the InterAmerican Court of Human Rights in defence of their home comntry. And the jury rendered a decision in their favour.
Finally…
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s state was inaugurated in 2024.
Actually recognized the Alcantara Quilombo Territory, which covers almost 800 square km
And engaged to granting Quilombo communities title to their land.
Citizens of the neighborhood claim that their conflict is still ongoing.
But they have hope.
weight for their ancient homes and communities for decades.
Tolerance. Unity. Hope and achievements…
Hello, everyone, I appreciate your time. Michael Fox, this is my network.
In 2019, I traveled 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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Episode 59 sf the audio set Stories of Resistance is co-produced by The Real News and Global Exchange. Separate investigative reporting supported by the Global Exchange software Human Rights in Action. Every year, I share with you tales of hope and weight 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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