Cordão da Mentira — a carnival group created in 2012 to denounce violations of the civil-military dictatorship — took to the streets of Paulista on Saturday (16) together with the Mães de Maio Movement to remember the 20th anniversary of the May Crimes. The act brought together about 60 mothers of police violence victims from across the country, according to organizers, and included protests for the Palestinian cause. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O Cordão da Mentira é um bloco carnavalesco que sai todo dia 1º de abril, Dia da Mentira, dia do golpe de 64, para falar sobre a violência do Estado do passado e do presente. Ele começou numa roda de samba, quando vários sambistas começaram a perceber que várias pessoas que participaram da repressão participavam de seus espaços"
"Um ato na tarde deste sábado (16) na Avenida Paulista, em São Paulo, relembrou os 20 anos dos chamados Crimes de Maio"
The May Crimes occurred between May 12 and 21, 2006, when the PCC organized rebellions in 74 prisons and street attacks against public agents, in retaliation for the transfer of 765 prisoners to Presidente Venceslau. The state response resulted in 564 deaths and 110 wounded, with 505 civilians and 59 public agents, according to a LAV-UERJ report. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"No mês de maio de 2006, entre os dias 12 e 21, diversos municípios do Estado de São Paulo foram alvo de ataques coordenados contra agentes de estado e instituições públicas, desencadeados pela facção criminosa denominada Primeiro Comando da Capital, o PCC."
"Em retaliação, a partir do dia 12 de maio, a facção orquestrou rebeliões simultâneas em 74 penitenciárias e direcionou ataques nas ruas contra agentes públicos, delegacias, viaturas e bases policiais"
"Cordão da Mentira is the soul of the Mães de Maio Movement," said Débora Maria da Silva, founder of the movement and mother of Edson Rogério Silva, killed by police during the May Crimes. Coordinator Thiago Mendonça explained that traditionally the group marches on April 1st, "Day of Lies, day of the 1964 coup," but decided to hold an extra act for the 20th anniversary of the episode. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O Cordão da Mentira é a alma do Movimento Mães de Maio. É através dele que a gente consegue ter combustível para seguir a luta o ano inteiro. O Cordão nos abraça. E ele escracha o que a gente vem denunciando. Ele também serve para a gente ter consciência de que a ditadura não acabou"
According to necroscopic analysis cited by CNN Brasil, civilian victims received an average of almost five shots each, with 77% hit in regions of extremely high lethality such as head and chest. Of the victims, 96% were men with an average age of 27. The PCC offensive ceased on May 14 after negotiation between the state and criminal organization, but then began "a wave of response led by uniformed police and extermination groups," as reported by Conectas Human Rights. ✓
Press quotes (2)
"O estudo também identificou uma média de quase cinco tiros por cada vítima. Os números mostram que 77% das vítimas receberam disparos em regiões de altíssima letalidade, como cabeça e tórax."
"Com o recuo do PCC, teve início uma onda de resposta liderada por policiais fardados e grupos de exterminio, que passaram a realizar ações nas periferias paulistas."
The act occurred on Saturday (16) on Paulista Avenue and brought together Cordão da Mentira and Mães de Maio Movement
The May Crimes resulted in more than 500 deaths, most of them civilians
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
The act also included protests for the Palestinian cause, unifying with the struggle against the Nakba
Conflicting versions (1)
Exact duration of May Crimes
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How many police officers were held criminally responsible for the May Crimes?
Why it's still unknown: No source cites numbers of convictions or specific proceedings against state agents
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What exactly was the content of the negotiation that ended the PCC attacks?
Why it's still unknown: Sources mention negotiation but diverge on specific agreed details
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What is the strongest argument against the version of systematic executions by police?
Why it's still unknown: No source presents contrary version or official state defense regarding the deaths