Under Construction

Sao Paulo -  Downtown Sao Paulo is through changes. It seems never ending. The project of revitalizing the city is audacious. But first, it is necessary to decide what to do with the people who live there and, especially, how to end “Cracolândia”. “Cracolândia” is  part of an area of the city center where drug addicts, drug dealers, prostitutes and transvestites live. Currently authorities are migrating them to other parts of the city. They are being forced by the police force to leave. It is a process that is happening since the beginning of 2010 or before. The government should find a place for them, but they are only taking them by force from there. They put the buildings down and force the people to get out of there.

This man is a drug addict. He said to me that he wanted some money to drink a coffee. I told him that I never give money when I take a picture. He asked again and again. Then I said: “I have other pictures to do. I’m working, ok? I can’t stand here talking with you. I’m sorry. I won’t give you money”. He said: “ok”. And came inside the area I was. Then he said that he would dance for me. But the government workers that were there told him to leave the area and called the police because he couldn’t stay there. He left before the policeman arrived. I didn’t see him dancing but I took this picture. He was a nice guy. I haven’t seen him anymore.
Ines Correa – Migrationpapa