Reflections on the ideas of the ‘Occupy Estelita’ protest in Brazil

Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to shed light on one of the many faces of the public protests in Brazil –Ocupe Estelita (Occupy Estelita), an urban occupation movement in the city of Recife whose focus centres around an urbanization model that its citizens desire for the city. In 2013, Brazil was rocked by numerous protests in at least 11 major cities. The protests, also known as Manifestações dos 20 centavos (20 Cent Demonstrations), first began in June when the city and state of São Paulo increased transportation fares by 20 centavos (roughly USD$0.09). The protesters’ cause erupted and expanded to include other issues, and Brazilian streets flooded with hundreds of thousands of protesters, especially after heavy police repression was used against them. They protested on a host of issues, out of frustration with government policies, and it was out of these public demonstrations that a new slogan "It’s Not Just 20 Cents" emerged. Brazilians took to the streets demanding more from their government – better public services, urban transit, education, health care and security -- instead of overspending on the 2014 FIFA World Cup and prioritizing a mega-event over the basic needs of its citizens. These demonstrations constitute the largest collective action of ordinary citizens in the country since the impeachment of President Fernando Collor de Mello in 1992; they led to major national and international repercussions, with similar public demonstrations being held by Brazilians living abroad in countries such as Portugal, France, Germany, and Canada.
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Proceedings of the IV World Planning Schools Congress, July 3-8th, 2016 : Global crisis, planning and challenges to spatial justice in the north and in the south
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