Petition could stop eviction of families in Brazil

USPG is supporting a petition-signing campaign to stop the eviction of 250 settlers from a farm near Ariquemes, in Brazil.

The community, in the Brazilian state of Rondonia – which includes an Anglican congregation – settled on the derelict farm 13 years ago. In Brazil, many impoverished people establish farming communities in this way because land and jobs are hard to find, and social welfare is almost non-existent.

The Revd Francisco de Assis da Silva, General Secretary of the Anglican Church of Brazil, explained: ‘The community is part of our church, and we have an Anglican mission called St Peter and St Paul at the settlement.

‘A court has decided to evict the settlers from the farm. We are doing what we can, together with the political authorities, in the hope of reaching a solution.

‘I appeal to the church that we may intercede with God to reach a just solution to this situation.’

Mr de Assis da Silva explained that the community consisted of agricultural workers who farmed small plantations of bananas, cocoa and coffee, among other subsistence products.

The community is productive. In 2007, they formed a farmers’ organisation and subsequently received support from the government to buy a milk cooling tank. In addition, the Anglican congregation, in partnership with the Roman Catholic and Assembly of God Churches, established a primary school for 40 children on the settlement.

Serious social problem

‘All this is now under the threat of being destroyed by a cold and indifferent legal decision – despite the extreme and serious social problem that this eviction would create,’ said Mr de Assis da Silva.

‘The military police have already carried out an inspection of the property and are now keen to evict the families. The [local] town of Ariquemes does not have the infrastructure to take in 250 people and their belongings. We cannot watch this social catastrophe happen with our arms folded.

‘Children, women and families are being condemned to misfortune, and we need to use all possible resources to avoid this.

‘We need to receive support from our fellow brothers and sisters from Anglican Communion and stand up for and help defend this community and its members who are suffering injustice.’

USPG Mission Companion Ruth de Barros claims: ‘This is absurd seeing that they are developing the land and helping each other to grow [as a community].’

Please sign the petition.

Posted on 14.10.2009