Resistance, collective organization, and urban dynamics: the emergence of the Quilombo Família Mattias in Belo Horizonte and its insurgent demands on public authorities

Abstract

This article addresses the dynamics of the city of Belo Horizonte from the perspective of urban quilombos, with emphasis on the historical emergence of the recognition of Quilombo Família Mattias, by the Palmares Foundation in 2023. It is understood that the struggle for this recognition and the entire process that gave rise to it is an expression of the urban insurgency which, in turn, evidences one of the stories not inscribed in the official history of the city. This territorial configuration is linked to collective forms of organization, expressed both in the participation between family members and between individuals without blood ties. These interactions emerge as survival strategies and articulations that structure the occupation and the quilombola modality in urban territories. Such issues are fundamental in a country that was the last in the Americas to abolish slavery and when it did, there were no public policies to ensure the rights of black people who became “free”. Calling for the right to the city, this text highlights the relevance of addressing the daily challenges of the Mattias quilombo, also registering the power of a people who do not allow their humanity and citizenship to be threatened by real estate capital. The community, which is located in the Santa Teresa neighborhood, had an improvement work embargoed by the government, causing incalculable losses to families. This article is not only a provocative text regarding the need for resolution by the public power, but also constitutes the record of a community that rebels against injustices and aims to sensitize managers about the dilemmas faced, contributing to the public field.