São Paulo: Mayor Downplays Hip Hop Bust-up

Mano Brown & Co.: Run DMC of the ABC Paulista.

Kassab diz que tumulto em show dos Racionais MC’s foi isolado (G1/Globo): Mayor Gilberto Kassab said in a press conference today that a violent bust-up between military police and people attending a show by rap group Os Racionais on the Praça da Sé in downtown São Paulo was “a serious but isolated incident.”

See also

• Praças na Sé: What Xico Saw at Sampa Hip-Hop Beatdown
• NMM(-TV)SNBCNNBS: Oh Sé Can You See?
• NMM(-TV)SNBCNNBS: Globo Covers the Great São Paulo Hip-Hop Beatdown of 2007 (the usual utter wankfest from the Clan Marinho)

We have witnessed for ourselves the city government’s competence in managing large public events, so my immediate response is skepticism.

Raw, derisive skepticism.

See

• “Violent Protest Marks Arrival of Bush”: Veja x The Uninterviewed Eyewitness
• Order and Progress, Sampa-Style

And more recently see also Rio:”Isolated Incident, Not a Trend,” Says Governor of Videoscandal Military Cop and Killer.

And for an attempt to rebrand a police occupation of shantytowns in the Northern District of São Paulo as a kind of Virada Cultural for social programs, see São Paulo: Operation Saturation, Reloaded. The depths to which government by flackery will sink sometimes just astonishes me.

But let’s try to check it out fair and square, just in case

Recent polling showed Mayor Kassab’s approval rating dipping below 20%. See also São Paulo’s Kassab: On YouTube, All Politics is Yokel. Kassab assumed when José Serra broke a campaign promise and left to run, first for the PSDB presidential nomination and then for state governor. So really, the thing is that no one voted for the guy.

And Kassab’s last TV appearance, in which he physically and verbally assaulted a protester trying to inject a word into a press conference about a controversial law limiting billboard advertising and commercial signage, did not help matters any. “I’m gonna kick your freaking ass, you bum!” he screamed, chasing the guy into the street. Nice.

Mr. Kassab’s brother, who owns a civil engineering firm, is in charge of a division of the São Paulo metropolitan transportation authority — you know, the one that produced the infamous Great Pinheiros Smoking Hole on the Yellow Line project in January of this year. New projects, I think it is, but I need to check that.

See “In Hell, The Engineers Are Brazilian and the Musicians Are German.”

Durante coletiva no início da tarde deste domingo (6) sobre balanço parcial da “Virada Cultural” em São Paulo, o prefeito Gilberto Kassab (DEM) classificou o tumulto ocorrido no show do grupo de rap Racionais MC’s como um “incidente grave”, mas limitado a um ponto entre os mais de 80 onde foram realizados eventos do projeto.

During a press conference early Sunday afternoon [May 6] to provide a partial account of [this weekend's cultural festival], Mayor Gilberto Kassab called the chaos that took place during a performance by rap group Os Racionais “a serious incident,” but limited to one venue of the more than 80 that were part of the festival.

“Foi um incidente grave, mas único. Imediatamente os coordenadores isolaram a área, cessaram os eventos vizinhos para que não fossem contaminados. Momentos depois, (o evento) foi retomado”, disse Kassab. O prefeito afirmou que deve haver uma apuração cuidadosa e que no “momento certo” a administração municipal vai se manifestar.

“Is was a serious but isolated incident. Coordinators immediately isolated the area, and neighboring events were shut down so that they would not be contaminated. Moments later, the event resumed,” Kassab said. The mayor stated that a careful investigation must be conducted and that “at the right moment” the city government would take a position on the matter.

“A Prefeitura vai assumir toda sua responsabilidade em relação a coordenação do evento”, disse. O prefeito não se comprometeu com possíveis indenizações. “Prefiro aguardar o resultado da sindicância.”

“The city government is going to take full responsibility for the coordination of the event,” Kassab said. The mayor did not commit himself on the issue of potential liability. “I prefer to await the result of the internal investigation.”

Gilberto Kassab afirmou que o saldo da confusão foram dois civis feridos e quatro policiais militares feridos. De acordo com a assessoria da Prefeitura, a Secretaria de Segurança Pública está reunida e deve divulgar nota sobre o balanço do incidente.

Kassab said that the toll of all the confusion was two civilians injured and four military police injured. According to the city press office, the secretary of public safety is in meetings and should issue a press release on the incident.

Para o secretário municipal de Cultura, Carlos Augusto Calil, o episódio foi lamentável, mas não deve ofuscar a boa presença de público e o sucesso de outras atrações. A prefeitura estima que 3 milhões de pessoas participem do evento.

For the city culture secretary, Carlos Augusto Calil, the episode was regrettable, but should not overshadow the high turnout and the success of other shows. The city estimates that 3 million persons attended the event.

Veja imagens da destruição causada por tumulto durante show de Racionais MC’s

See images of the destruction caused by the riot during a show by Os Racionais.

“O episódio se deveu a um confronto que nós não imaginávamos que pudesse ocorrer. Pelo contrário, esperávamos a cultura como motivo de relaxamento. Mas esse é um fato que não vai parar a Virada”, disse Calil. O secretário lembrou que já haviam contratado o grupo em três shows anteriores e que eles ocorreram com tranquilidade. A banda recebeu um cachê de R$ 26 mil para participar da Virada.

“The episode was due to a confrontation that we never imagined might occur. On the contrary, we were expecting that culture would provide a reason to relax. But this event is not going to stop the Culture Tour,” said Calil. The secretary recalled that the city had hired the group on three previous occasions and all three went off peacefully. The band received R$26,000 to take part in the show.

“Isso vai ser devidamente esclarecido e não vai se repetir”, disse o presidente da SPTuris, Caio Luiz de Carvalho.

“This will be duly clarified and will not be repeated,” said the president of the local tourist agency, Caio Luizde Carvalho.

Detidos e feridos

Injured and detained

A Secretaria de Segurança Pública informou no final da manhã deste domingo (6) que 11 pessoas foram detidas e encaminhadas ao 1º Distrito Policial (DP) para averiguações relacionadas ao tumulto ocorrido durante o show do grupo Racionais MC’s no início da manhã em frente à Catedral da Sé, na Região Central de São Paulo. Anteriormente, a polícia havia informado que cerca de 30 pessoas haviam sido detidas.

The secretary of public safety reported on late Sunday morning that 11 persons were arrested and sent to the 1st Police District for investigation in the riot that broke out during the show that morning in front of theŚé Cathedral in dowtown São Paulo. Previously, the police had reported that nearly 30 persons had been arrested.

Segundo e secretaria, as 11 pessoas encaminhadas ao DP foram detidas por desacato a autoridade, furto qualificado e danos patrimoniais. Dos 11, três seriam menores de idade. Também foram registrados no local três boletins de ocorrências relacionados ao tumulto: um de lesão corporal sofrida por um Policial Militar, outro por veículo incendiado e outro por carro completamente depredado.

According to the secretary, the 11 persons were arrested for “disrespect for authority,” theft and property damage. Of the 11, three were reportedly minors. Three incident reports were also filed in the area related to the violence: One for physical injury, filed by a military policeman, another over a car that was set on fire and another for a car that was completely destroyed.

No incidente ocorrido por volta das 5h, pelo menos duas pessoas ficaram feridas e foram atendidas pelo Corpo de Bombeiros. Um homem de 21 anos e uma mulher de 22 anos tiveram ferimentos na cabeça e foram levados para o pronto-socorro Vergueiro.

In the incident that took place at about 5:00 a.m., at least two persons were injured and treated by the fire department. A man, 21, and a woman, 22, had head injuries and were taken to the Vergueiro emergency room.

Saldo da destruição

Toll of destruction

Na Praça da Sé, onde o tumulto começou por volta das 5h, funcionários desmontavam o palco instalado na frente da catedral. Ao lado da entrada do Metrô, uma fila de banheiros químicos destruídos ainda aguardava remoção em meio às garrafas quebradas e o olhar espantado de turistas que fotografavam o resultado do vandalismo.

In the cathedral square of the See, where the rioting began around 5 am, officials were dismantling the stage installed in front of the sanctuary. By the entrance to the subway, a line of destroyed chemical toilets still awaited removal, amid broken bottles and the startled gaze of tourists photographing the results of the vandalism.

Mas o tumulto deixou maior prejuízo na esquina das Ruas Senador Feijó e Quintino Bocaiúva. Dois Celtas foram depredados. Um dos carros foi incendiado após a passagem dos vândalos. Uma franquia da loja Rei do Mate teve a porta arrombada. Objetos de valor, cigarros e bebidas foram roubados.

But the tumult caused the most damage on the corner of Senador Feijó and Quintino Bocaiúva. Two cars were looted. One of the cars was set on fire. A Rei do Mate franchise had its door smashed in. Objects of value, cigarette and beverages were stolen.

A proprietária do estabelecimento, que preferiu não se identificar, disse que só foi avisada da invasão às 9 horas. Segundo a proprietária, a demora foi culpa do sumiço do vigilante que presta serviço para comerciantes do local, que tinha o número de telefone da empresária mas não foi encontrado pela polícia no local após o tumulto.

Rei do Mate sells soft drinks and mate, that hypercaffeinated Amazonian tea you read about in Levi-Strauss’s Triste Tropiques — known as chimarrão in the South. My wife loves it. I find it a bit too sour.

The proprietor, who preferred not to identify herself, said she only heard of the break-in at 9 am. She said the delay was due to the fact that the guard who watches over local businesses took off. He had the owner’s phone number but could not be found by police after the rioting.

What’s the poor guy gonna do?

Ela estima que o prejuízo no local tenha superado os R$ 20 mil. Além de roubar o dinheiro que estava no caixa, o grupo ainda arremessou o computador contra a parede. “Estou esperando o Kassab passar aqui amanhã para me dizer o que a Prefeitura vai fazer”, disse.

Damage in the area was estimated at more than R$20,000 (R10,000).

That’s actually not a vast sum of damages for a “veritable zone of war” that reminded Globo TV reporters of Iraq.

Everything reminds Globo TV of Iraq these days. It’s a talking point they hammer on incessantly.

Implication: Racionais fans are the Mahdi Army.

Enquanto a comerciante aguardava a perícia, do outro lado da esquina a professora de inglês Camila Ferraro tomava conta do Celta da amiga, que teve o vidro quebrado e lataria amassada durante o tumulto. “Estávamos na Vieira de Carvalho. Eram 6 horas quando voltamos e no caminho já sentimos o cheiro forte de gás”, contou a professora.

While the businessman was awaiting the results of the inspection, on the other corner English teacher was taking car of a friend’s car, which had its window smashed and metalwork crumpled during the incident. “We were on Vieira de Carvalho. It was 6 a.m. when we got back and on the way we smelled a poweful odor of gas,” she recalled.

Ao lado do carro das amigas que participavam da Virada Cultural, o que sobrou de um outro Celta permanece na esquina, vigiado por policiais. O carro foi totalmente queimado na madrugada.

Alongside the car of the two friends who came to attend the Virada were the remains of another Celta, watched over by police. The car was completely consumed by fire during the early morning hours.

Como foi a briga

How the conflict started

A apresentação começou às 4h30, com uma hora e meia de atraso, e durou menos de meia hora. Um tumulto na platéia, logo no início do show, foi reprimido com balas de borracha e bombas de gás lacrimogêneo. Na segunda música, parte da platéia começou a insultar policiais que reagiram com bombas de efeito moral. Durante o confronto, houve pânico entre as pessoas presentes no local, que se dirigiram à estação Sé do Metrô tentando fugir do confronto entre polícia e fãs do grupo.

The show started at 4:30, an hour and a half late, and lasted less than half an hour.

Actually, I read that the opening acts went on at exactly the appointed hour.

An uproar in the audience, soon after the show started, was put down with rubber bullets and tear gas.

This is an extremely condensed version of events that does not exactly live up to the billing of como foi a briga.

During the second song, part of the audience started insulting the police, who reacted with flash bombs. During the confrontation, panic broke out among those present, who headed for the Sé subway station trying to get out of the way of the clash between police and fans of the group.

What, the people who were trying to get out of the way were not fans of the group? Why were they there in the first place, then?

A assessoria da Polícia Militar disse que o incidente foi gerado por “incitação por parte do conjunto”. As pessoas teriam começado a arremessar garrafas contra os policiais que teriam reagido. Funcionários do Metrô das Estações Sé e Liberdade solicitaram reforço policial.

The PM press office said the incident was generated by “incitement on the part of the group.”

The group was criticized for opening with a song that, while not quite the infamous “Fuck da Police,” is not, ahem, wholeheartedly pro-law enforcement.

People reportedly began throwing bottles at the police, who then responded. Metro workers at the Sé and Liberdade called for police reinforcements.

Investimento na Virada

Investment in the cultural evening

Segundo Kassab, a Prefeitura investiu pouco mais de R$ 2 milhões na organização da “Virada Cultural” em 2007. Na edição anterior, o gasto foi de R$ 3 milhões. O presidente da SPTuris disse que a Virada tem impacto não apenas na economia, mas na imagem da cidade no exterior. Segundo Calil, 30 correspondentes estrangeiros estão na cidade para cobrir o evento. De acordo com o secretário, a próxima edição da Virada Cultural já tem data: deve ocorrer em 26 e 27 de abril.

Kassab said the city invested a little over R$1 million in organizing the Virada in 2007. In previous editions, the spending was $1.5 million. The president of the SPTuris tourist agency said the Virada impacts not only the economy but the image of the city abroad.

I’ll say.

According to Calil, 30 foreign correspondents were in the city to cover the event.

I didn’t see a single story on it.

According to the tourism secretary, the next edition of the Virada is scheduled for the night April 26 and 27.

Thorough reporting by Globo’s G1 news portal, which seems to have carved out a nonsense-free zone to operate in inside the Organizações Capivara Globo.

I am quite a fan of Os Racionais myself. And I am not a supporter of the Mahdi Army by any means. My wife interviewed them once — or tried to. Mano Brown is a difficult interview subject. The poetry is top-notch.

Here’s a selection from “Which Lie Am I Gonna Believe?”

São apenas dez e meia, tem a noite inteira.
Dormir é embaçado, numa sexta-feira.
TV é uma merda, prefiro ver a lua.
Preto Edy Rock Star a caminho da rua.
Hã… sei lá vou pruma festa, “se pam”,
Se os cara não colar,volto às três da manhã.
Tô devagar, tô a cinquenta por hora,
Ouvindo funk do bom, minha trilha sonora.
A polícia cresce o olho, eu quero que se foda!
Zona Norte a bandidagem curte a noite toda.
Eu me formei suspeito profissional,
Bacharel pós-graduado em”tomar geral”.
Eu tenho um manual com os lugares, horários, de como “darperdido”…
ai, caralho… ( “prefixo da placa é MY, sentido Jaçanã, Jardim Ebron…”).
Quem é preto como eu já tá ligado qual é, Nota Fiscal, RG,polícia no pé (”escuta aqui: o primo do cunhado do meu genro é mestiço,
racismo não existe, comigo não tem disso, é pra sua segurança”).
Falou, falou, deixa pra lá.

It’s just 10:30, we have the whole night ahead of us. What do you wanna sleep for on a Friday night? TV is bullshit, I’d rather look at the moon, Black Eddy Rock Star heading out onto the street. Huh … Dunno, maybe I’ll go to a party … if the Man don’t bust it up, I’ll get back at 3:00 in morning. Cruising slow, 50 kph, listening to some fine funk, my soundrack. The cops eyeballing me, they can go fuck themselves. Northern Zone, the bandits kicking it the whole night through. I got my high-school degree in being a professional suspect, a postgrad bachelor’s in getting my ass kicked [getting patted down]. I have a manual on the places and times, how to [act all innocent like]. Aw, hell (”license plate MY, heading in the direction of Jaçanã in the Jardim Ebron …”). If you’re black like me you know how it is, gotta show your receipt for the stuff you bought, get up against the wall, cops stepping on your feet (”listen up: the cousin of my son-in-law’s brother-in-law is mixed race, racism does not exist, that is not what I’m about, this is for your own safety.”) Blah blah blah, forget about it.

Vou escolher em qual mentira vou acreditar.
Tem que saber mentir, tem que saber lidar,
Em qual mentira vouacreditar?
A noite é assim mesmo, então… deixa rolar.
Em qual mentira vou acreditar?
Tem que saber mentir, tem que saber lidar.
Em qual mentira vou acreditar?

I’m gonna choose which lie I’m gonna believe. You have to know how to lie, you have to know how to deal with it. Which lie am I gonna believe? That’s the way that night is, so let the good times roll. Which lie am I gonna believe? You have to know how to lie, you have to know how to deal with it. Which lie am I gonna believe?

It remains one of the enigmas of São Paulo for me: My wife does not blink when heading up that sinister street with the shanties and what looks an awful lot like a pichaçado drug fortress on it — kokka da Vila é toda nossa!

But downtown on a Saturday afternoon?

It looks perfectly normal to me, but as we pass by the Galeria de Rock, Neuza suddenly goes as tense as a circus high wire and says, “Let’s get the hell out of here.”

Saturday, downtown belongs to the manos and minas. The nights and the weekend belong to the periferia.

You are not in Kansas anymore. Brooklyn street smarts do not apply.