On April 20th, police violently repressed a peaceful demonstration against the Free Trade Area of the Americas in Sao Paulo, Brazil. As a result, 69 people were arrested, over 100 people were injured and about 30 people were tortured in the police station. So far, mainstream press ignored what happened and government not only didn't investigate police abuse, but decorated the capitain of the troop.

Last month while the world's attention was focused on the protests against FTAA (Free Trade Areas of the Americas) negotiations in Quebec City, another battle was being waged in Brazil. On Friday, April 20, approximately 1500
students and young activists gathered in downtown Sao Paulo's financial center in a solidarity demonstration against the Summit of the Americas
being staged in Quebec.

Without provocation, the police launched a violent attack on the unarmed demonstrators. The ensuing violence resulted in the serious injury of over 100 protestors and the arrest of 69 youth, most of whom were minors. While awaiting legal representation at the police station, approximately 30 protestors were tortured. Prisoners were forced to stay for two hours on their knees, facing a wall with their hands handcuffed behind them so tightly that three weeks later the bruises were still there. During this period police repeatedly beat prisoners from behind with batons. As a result, one prisoner had two internal organs seriously damaged and another had his eardrum broke. Other illegal police actions included the classification of unprosecuted prisoners with photos. At hospitals, many protestors were denied treatment at the instruction of police. Police even chased injured protestors from the entrance of one hospital, threatening them with machine guns fired into the air.

The above is only a brief description. For a full report on the human rights violations perpetrated against A20 demonstrators in Sao Paulo, please contact the Legal Observers' Collective at

Demonstrators are now mobilizing to take legal action against the city and police force of Sao Paulo. Appeals for public support are also underway and many influential intellectuals and artists have lent their voices to their cause.

We are urging you to sign the letter of protest and add your name in solidarity with activists fighting for their right to express their political objections without fear of violent persecution.

Just go to:
http://riseup.net/acao
and input your name and e-mail address

If you know some portuguese (or some spanish), you can find out more about what happened at:
http://a20.tripod.com.br/
http://www.brasil.indymedia.org