Arquivos da ditadura: luta e resistência em Perus

Summary

This video explores the history of Perus, a neighborhood in São Paulo, focusing on its role during Brazil's military dictatorship. It highlights key locations such as the Portland Cement Factory and the Dom Bosco Cemetery, both significant for their involvement in labor struggles and the clandestine burial of political dissidents. The video also covers the long-standing fight for justice by workers and their families, culminating in the uncovering of a mass grave in 1990. This narrative emphasizes the importance of preserving memory, justice, and the continued efforts to honor the victims of political violence.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Perus neighborhood in São Paulo is historically significant for its association with Brazil's civil-military dictatorship.
• 😀 The Portland Cement Factory, established in 1926, played a key role in the history of the cement industry and labor movements in the region.
• 😀 In 1933, the Cement and Gypsum Workers' Union was founded, focusing on workers' rights in the Perus-Cajamar cement complex.
• 😀 Worker strikes and protests intensified in the 1950s, especially under the management of businessman JJ Abdalla, who faced labor unrest due to poor working conditions.
• 😀 The most notable strike was the 'Seven Years Strike', which played a significant role in the labor movement during this period.
• 😀 The workers' union was the first in São Paulo to be shut down after the 1964 military coup, marking the start of repressive actions against labor movements.
• 😀 The workers, known as 'Queixas,' expanded their activism to include social issues, forming solidarity networks like a workers' bank and a strike fund.
• 😀 Women in the community played a crucial role in supporting the labor movement, including the creation of the 'Club of Perus Mothers' and other grassroots initiatives.
• 😀 The strike ended in 1969 with a court decision that included partial worker integration and compensation for delayed wages.
• 😀 The Portland Cement Factory and the union's headquarters were officially protected as historical landmarks in 1992, reflecting their importance in Brazilian labor history.
• 😀 Perus also became known for its clandestine cemetery, Dom Bosco, where political opponents and dissidents were secretly buried during the military dictatorship.
• 😀 In 1990, the clandestine mass grave was uncovered, revealing 1,049 sets of remains, which were later investigated by various forensic institutions.

Q & A

What is the significance of Perus in São Paulo's history?

Perus is a district in São Paulo known for its role in the Brazilian civil-military dictatorship. It witnessed important events of resistance and repression, with locations that serve as places of memory for these historical moments.

What role did the Portland Cement Factory in Perus play in the region's history?

The Portland Cement Factory, founded in 1926, was one of the pioneers in cement production in Brazil. It played a significant role in the region's history, especially during the 1950s when it became a site of worker resistance, including the famous 'seven-year strike.'

How did the workers' union in Perus evolve during the 1950s?

The workers' union, founded in 1933, became more active in the 1950s under the leadership of businessman JJ Abdalla. The workers organized multiple strikes and protests due to poor working conditions, with one of the most notable being the 'seven-year strike.'

What was the significance of the 'seven-year strike' in Perus?

The 'seven-year strike' was a prolonged workers' strike against the cement factory under the leadership of the workers' union. It was significant for its duration and for the workers' demands, which included better working conditions and compensation.

What happened to the union after the 1964 military coup?

After the 1964 military coup, the workers' union in Perus was the first in São Paulo to face intervention by the military regime. It was shut down on April 1, 1964, and its activities were heavily repressed.

How did the workers in Perus contribute to the community during the dictatorship?

The workers in Perus were involved in more than just labor disputes. They created mechanisms of solidarity, such as a cooperative bank and a strike fund, and organized community movements like the 'Mothers of Perus' and groups focused on the cost of living.

What is the significance of the Dom Bosco Cemetery in Perus?

The Dom Bosco Cemetery, opened in 1971, was initially intended to serve the peripheral areas of São Paulo. However, it became notorious as a site for the clandestine burial of political dissidents and opponents of the military regime during the 'years of lead.'

What discovery was made at the Dom Bosco Cemetery in 1990?

In 1990, a mass grave containing the remains of 1,049 people was discovered at the Dom Bosco Cemetery. These individuals were later identified as victims of the military regime, some of whom were political prisoners.

How did the families of the disappeared find out about the mass graves in Perus?

The families of the disappeared learned about the mass graves through testimonies, such as that of Suzana Lisboa, who received information about the location of her husband, a political dissident, who was later found in one of the mass graves.

What happened to the remains found in the clandestine graves?

The remains found in the clandestine graves at the Dom Bosco Cemetery were sent to the Department of Legal Medicine at the University of Campinas for identification. In 2014, the remains were transferred to the Center for Anthropology and Forensic Archaeology at the Federal University of São Paulo for further study.