Favela Rocinha

 Vanmorgen om 10 uur stond er een tour met gids gepland door de favela  Rocinha, één van de veiligste favela’s  die Rio rijk is en door menig toerist bezocht kan worden. Net voor ons vertrek ontvingen wij de volgende WhatsApp: 

Last night police shit four people in Rocinha. This happened at about 3.00am. * police shot. 

Today i have been advised by the police to not bring visitors in today as the police are going to do an “operation” and there could be more shooting. 

You safety in number 1.

Apperently these shootings started near where a group of people where having a party.

I belong to these WhatsApp group where i can get up to date information . 

Right now the guy who got shit was a moto taxi guy. They are going to hold a protest today because the moto taxi guy who was shot died and he was not a criminal. (Sorry my phone keeps writing “shit” instead of “shot”).

I just don’t think today would-be a good day after what happened last night.

I am going to consult with the police to find out when things will return so i can do the tours again but only when iT is safe. Your safety in visiting here is more important than anything! I want to see what develops. I am really sorry!! 

The moto taxi are holding a protest after one of them was shot last night (zie filmpje).

it’s sad because Rocinha is like a City. We have about 300.000 people who live here. And most of the time, things are calm here. Sad to say but we are used to this kind of police abuse. But bringing guests in here when there is a possibility of more problems, i won’t do. Later today i will talk to the police to find out when i can return to my work.  

Blij dat deze man ons op tijd ge-appt heeft, moeten er niet aan denken om in zo’n situatie terecht te komen. Wel heel jammer, want we hadden de Favela graag bezocht, maar....veiligheid voor alles.