Help the 1st of May Refugee Camp
Donation protected
Dear Friends and Family,
As you may know, Brazil has been hit particularly hard by the COVID pandemic. With the governments response being defined by harmful disinformation campaigns, active suppression of vaccines and a complete lack of action as more and more Brazilians fall to unemployment, hunger and homelessness, the situation in Brazil is now being called a genocide.
On May 1st, 2021, more than 500 families occupied an area of 724 hectares originally destined to become a petrochemical site of Petrobras in Itaguai, just a few hours from my home. The act shines a light on how the pandemic coupled with an inept government response, has caused people to organize and advocate for themselves as jobs, homes, and opportunities evaporate. The camp (now called the First of May Refugee Camp) is an act of community resilience and a response to the federal government's incompetence in guaranteeing the Brazilian population minimum conditions for survival in this difficult period.
The objective of the occupation is to block the ongoing dumping of toxic waste and repurpose the land for permanent public use, creating a sustainable collaborative community with dignified housing, healthy food, education and health care for it's residents and a park/greenspace for the local community.
To date more than 3000 families have arrived with more coming each day. There isn’t enough food, clean water, shelters, or medical supplies to accommodate the influx of folkx seeking shelter in the camp. The community has organized 2 communal kitchens and a first aid tent staffed by only 3 volunteer nurses with basic medical supplies. Neighborhoods are beginning to form and with support from local organizations planting of trees and food crops has begun.
We are in urgent need of support. We are raising funds to provide a significant and immediate infusion for the purchase of building materials for housing, the clinic and school as well as gas and kitchen supplies. Donations will be sent directly to the camps coordinating committee for immediate use. We will be returning to the camp in August with a shipment of clinic supplies as well. Our goal is to raise at least $5000 in 2-4 weeks. Please choose to make a donation to support this movement in Brasil. A little goes a long way here.
Daily activity can be found on instagram @refugiados1maio. For more information about the people’s movement and how you can help, feel free to reach out.
*The occupation is led by the People's Movement, with support from the Single Federation of Oil Workers (FUP), the Union of Oil Workers of the North Fluminense (Sindipetro-NF), the Itaguaí Workers Party (PT) directory, the Movimento dos Sem- Terra (MST) and Central Única das Favelas (Cufa), among other social organizations and union movements.
As you may know, Brazil has been hit particularly hard by the COVID pandemic. With the governments response being defined by harmful disinformation campaigns, active suppression of vaccines and a complete lack of action as more and more Brazilians fall to unemployment, hunger and homelessness, the situation in Brazil is now being called a genocide.
On May 1st, 2021, more than 500 families occupied an area of 724 hectares originally destined to become a petrochemical site of Petrobras in Itaguai, just a few hours from my home. The act shines a light on how the pandemic coupled with an inept government response, has caused people to organize and advocate for themselves as jobs, homes, and opportunities evaporate. The camp (now called the First of May Refugee Camp) is an act of community resilience and a response to the federal government's incompetence in guaranteeing the Brazilian population minimum conditions for survival in this difficult period.
The objective of the occupation is to block the ongoing dumping of toxic waste and repurpose the land for permanent public use, creating a sustainable collaborative community with dignified housing, healthy food, education and health care for it's residents and a park/greenspace for the local community.
To date more than 3000 families have arrived with more coming each day. There isn’t enough food, clean water, shelters, or medical supplies to accommodate the influx of folkx seeking shelter in the camp. The community has organized 2 communal kitchens and a first aid tent staffed by only 3 volunteer nurses with basic medical supplies. Neighborhoods are beginning to form and with support from local organizations planting of trees and food crops has begun.
We are in urgent need of support. We are raising funds to provide a significant and immediate infusion for the purchase of building materials for housing, the clinic and school as well as gas and kitchen supplies. Donations will be sent directly to the camps coordinating committee for immediate use. We will be returning to the camp in August with a shipment of clinic supplies as well. Our goal is to raise at least $5000 in 2-4 weeks. Please choose to make a donation to support this movement in Brasil. A little goes a long way here.
Daily activity can be found on instagram @refugiados1maio. For more information about the people’s movement and how you can help, feel free to reach out.
*The occupation is led by the People's Movement, with support from the Single Federation of Oil Workers (FUP), the Union of Oil Workers of the North Fluminense (Sindipetro-NF), the Itaguaí Workers Party (PT) directory, the Movimento dos Sem- Terra (MST) and Central Única das Favelas (Cufa), among other social organizations and union movements.
Organizer
Amber Faur
Organizer
Rohnert Park, CA
