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AFTER AN ARMED ASSAULT FROM RANCHERS: JUSTICE FOR ONÇA QUILOMBO NOW!
On the evening of April 19, an egregious attack was carried out against the community members of the Onça Quilombo in the municipality of Santa Inês in Maranhão. The perpetrator, a large-scale rancher known as Franciano, released his cattle on the community’s land, which destroyed vital food crops, and sent armed men into the Afro-descendant community. These armed men committed acts of violence, including firing gunshots.
The invaders retreated but threatened to return to carry out further violence. The region's military police were called and came to the community, but made no efforts to arrest the perpetrators or protect Onça Quilombo. The community still faces ongoing risk.
Unfortunately, this attack is not an isolated case. Maranhão has the highest number of agrarian conflicts involving quilombos across Brazil. Through its inaction, the state has been complicit in the face of these threats, assaults, and assassinations.
Grassroots International is joining MOQUIBOM in calling on people around the world to write to state and federal officials to open an investigation into the attack and to protect the quilombola territory from further assaults. Please sign the letter.
English Translation of Letter
Authorities of the state of Maranhão and the Federative Republic of Brazil,
On the evening of April 19, an egregious attack was carried out against the community members of the Onça Quilombo in the municipality of Santa Inês in Maranhão. The perpetrator, a large-scale rancher known as Franciano, released his cattle on the community’s land, which destroyed vital food crops, and sent armed men into the community, who committed acts of violence, including firing gunshots.
The invaders retreated but threatened to return to carry out further violence. The region's military police were called and came to the community, but no enforcement measures have been taken, leaving the community in a state of ongoing risk.
Unfortunately, this is not an isolated case. The current denunciation is the latest among others that have been made in recent days, regarding several conflicts experienced by the community since Franciano claimed to have acquired land in the area.
Today Maranhão is the state with the highest number of agrarian conflicts involving quilombos. The state has been complicit in the face of violent threats, aggressions, and assassinations.
I am therefore joining others in the international human rights community to demand justice and protection for the Onça Quilombo, and other quilombos under threat, immediately.
Members of quilombola communities have occupied and lived in their territories for centuries. The crimes committed against them by large landholders are the full responsibility of the state. Urgent measures must be taken.
We demand that the Civil Police open an investigation of this most recent attack, among others, and that the INCRA complete the demarcation/regularization of this quilombola territory.
Justice for Onça Quilombo Now!
AFTER AN ARMED ASSAULT FROM RANCHERS: JUSTICE FOR ONÇA QUILOMBO NOW!
On the evening of April 19, an egregious attack was carried out against the community members of the Onça Quilombo in the municipality of Santa Inês in Maranhão. The perpetrator, a large-scale rancher known as Franciano, released his cattle on the community’s land, which destroyed vital food crops, and sent armed men into the Afro-descendant community. These armed men committed acts of violence, including firing gunshots.
The invaders retreated but threatened to return to carry out further violence. The region's military police were called and came to the community, but made no efforts to arrest the perpetrators or protect Onça Quilombo. The community still faces ongoing risk.
Unfortunately, this attack is not an isolated case. Today Maranhão is the state with the highest number of agrarian conflicts involving quilombos. Through its inaction, the state has been complicit in the face of these threats, assaults, and assassinations.
Grassroots International is joining MOQUIBOM in calling on people around the world to write to state and federal officials to open an investigation into the attack and to protect the quilombola territory from further assaults. Please sign the letter.
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