Brazilian punks revive scene to protest injustice and police brutality
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 2
Brazilian punks revive scene to protest injustice and police brutality
12 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 2
In Rio's Morro da Lagartixa favela, Repressão Social founder Rodrigo Cilirio described a police raid in which one resident was shot in the leg.
Musicians say the movement, active from Rio and São Paulo to rural Varginha, channels anger over poverty, racism, gender violence and authoritarian politics into DIY resistance.
Punks say Brazil's scene, rooted since the dictatorship era, gained urgency after Jair Bolsonaro's presidency emboldened neo-Nazi skinheads and sharpened fears over militarised policing and inequality.
After landmark convictions for political violence, what new challenges and dangers do activists and artists face in Brazil's favelas?
Can Brazil's punk scene truly drive change, or is it destined to remain a voice of protest amid unending violence in the favelas?
Over 6,500 Police Killings in Brazil (2025–2026): The Crisis of Racial Violence and Punk Resistance
Overview
In 2025, Brazil faced a severe police violence crisis with over 6,500 deaths, including the deadliest raid in Rio de Janeiro's history causing 121 fatalities. Police lethality expanded into inland cities, driven by opaque operations. Black Brazilians suffered disproportionately, being 4.5 times more likely to be killed by police and making up 86% of victims in Rio despite being 58% of the population. Systemic racism underlies this disparity and contributes to resource scarcity in vulnerable areas. Despite judicial efforts, investigations remain flawed due to lack of independence, fueling impunity. Meanwhile, Brazilian punk rock, born as dissent during the dictatorship, continues to challenge police brutality and racism through grassroots activism, music, and community empowerment, amplifying public outrage and influencing social awareness ahead of the 2026 elections.