“Pedir ajuda”, “fazer pressão” e “estar alerta”:

reconfigurações entre performances políticas em favelas “pacificadas”

Abstract

This article analyzes uses and effects of the community communication initiative “Alerta Santa Marta” to explore reconfigurations between political performances in the first favela to receive a Pacifying Police Unit (UPP). We present an ethnographic approach that specifically addresses the emergence of new sociabilities in articulations between urban violence, community communication and favela politics. We organized our analyzes based on the description of a meeting of dwellers with representatives of the Military Police that was achieved after a series of protests organized under exchanging messages via WhatsApp. Based on local criticisms constituting a “fight for rights” against police violence, precarious conditions and forms of control in the favela, we characterize and reflect about three categories of engagement: “ask for help”, “put pressure” and “being aware”.