On the morning of Tuesday, the residents of Magalhães Residential in Marabá, Pará, took to the streets, blocking the BR-222 highway in response to an eviction order issued by the court. The order mandates that these residents vacate the premises within 15 days. This protest not only highlights the immediate plight of over 200 families living in the residential area but also raises broader questions about housing rights and government responsibility towards displaced individuals.

The blockage resulted in severe traffic disruptions, particularly affecting the connection between São Félix and Nova Marabá, leading to long tailbacks in both directions on the highway. Demonstrators, equipped with tires and cones, initially closed the road completely before transitioning to a 'stop and go' system, allowing traffic to flow briefly every 10 minutes. Residents expressed their desperation for dialogue with local authorities, emphasizing their lack of alternative housing, as articulated by local worker Francisco Santos, who stated, "We are here for some authority to come talk to us. The families have nowhere to go."

This incident is symptomatic of the larger housing crisis in Brazil, where inadequate governmental action has left many families vulnerable to eviction and homelessness. It underlines the urgent need for policies that address the housing needs of lower-income communities, as well as the responsibility of authorities to engage in meaningful dialogue with affected citizens. The outcome of this protest could influence future governmental responses to housing instability in the region.