Punitive raids were expanded at the turn of the month, as police continue to try and pin recent incendiary attacks in Porto Alegre on the anarchist movement.

Activists in the city reported on November 30th that:

Operation Erebo (Operação Érebo) attacked anarchists once again. They invaded some houses, stealing things and destroying everything in their path. At this stage we don’t know whether any other homes were invaded. Communication is precarious since we don’t know the levels of police intervention. And this time nothing was broadcast in the media.

Even when the storm seemed to have calmed without any arrests or information about the operation, we are sure they are looking for us. Unlike other incursions, Operation Erebo appears to move slowly but surely.

We remain strong, determined and immovable against these persecutions, certain that the love of freedom cries stronger. Shows of support and solidarity are not lacking and the different positions of anarchism have remained firm in their rejection of authority and with their arms extended to their comrades. It strengthens us.

Spread the news

Arms extended to our comrades, clenched fists for our enemies!

Let us live anarchy!

The police themselves also said nothing about the raids on their reports wire, suggesting that whatever it was they were hoping to find they didn’t get it, instead settling for intimidation tactics.

Operation Erebo was launched in 2016 following a series of attacks against city’s Police Station One, including a dud bomb placed in a police car and a blast which took place outside the station. A total of 11 incidents are under investigation, mostly attacks on vehicles but also arson at the Public Security Bureau, plus attacks on political party headquarters and private banks.

Prior raids which took place in October took a heavy toll on progressive organising in the city, with groups including the Gaucho Anarchist Federation (FAG) and Kaos Library targeted. Following the latest raids FAG expressed its “sympathy to those who had their homes raped by the civil police.”

Many groups have struggled to cope with the situation, such as Parrhesia, a multiple human rights award-winning non-governmental organisation that works with social movements in the areas of human rights, culture, education and popular communication.

Volunteer Orlando Vitor, who was woken up at 5am by the police raid and has since struggled to get back vital computer equipment seized by police, recently produced a rap about the month of difficulties Parrhesia has faced.

In the piece Vitor talks a little about the situation he is living in, the damage done by the police action and also about the anti-jail fight to which he is committed. The rap “Another one arrested plus one case” was recorded in the studio Dunas Rap, Pelotas, honors Maurício Norambuena and counts on the participation of the rappers Tampa Diteto and Chycuta Mrs, both graduates of the prison system.