Arrastões along Rio de Janeiro's South Zone - Canal See News
A shout cuts across Rio Branco avenue and quickly multiplies. Someone just had their wallet snatched or their bag stolen. A teenager runs off in the opposite direction. Men take off after him. Within minutes, the web of sounds returns to its usual state: it's just another afternoon in downtown Rio. Shortly after, though, new shouts. “It's the rapa!”. Whistles and voices calling out codes. Street vendors scramble, dashing off dragging their bags and makeshift stalls. The Municipal Guard is arriving for an inspection patrol. There's an air of suspense in the sounds filling the air.
Photo: Angelo Duarte - Marine soldiers on the Copacabana seafront - Agência Tyba
Image description: The image is a photograph of three marines in military uniform, equipped with helmets and weapons, watching two men sitting on the ground in front of a building with glass windows. The scene takes place in an urban setting, with cars parked in the background and reflections of the buildings on the surface of the windows. The marines are positioned so that one is closer to the left, another is centered, and the third is closer to the right. The two seated men appear to be in a submissive position, with their arms resting on their legs and their heads bowed.Further on, the screech of sudden braking and cars reversing, hurriedly searching for a way back against traffic. The tunnel had been shut down by criminals. Shouts and sirens, sometimes gunshots. Horns honking. Sighs of despair. On Sunday, at the beach, the tumult of sounds emerges in an instant. Bathers run, children cry. It's another arrastão: groups of youths run across the sand seizing wallets and cell phones. In the background of it all, in the landscape, the permanent buzz of fear and bewilderment, running through the days.
"Arrastão" (mass robbery) at Arpoador beach in 2013.
