StreetcarRevolt

In Rio de Janeiro in 1956, the streetcar was the means used by a large part of the population to get around the city, a good and cheap option on rails. That is, until the day when Mayor Negrão de Lima authorized a 100% increase in fare prices, sparking a popular uprising. But the Streetcar Revolt was neither the first time, nor would it be the last, that the right to public transportation would push cariocas' nerves to the breaking point.

Student strike against the fare increase - 1956 - Photographer unidentified. Correio da Manhã Collection/Arquivo Nacional

Image description: The image is a black-and-white photograph of an old tram. On the left side, we see two people standing, one of them wearing a white shirt and a striped tie. The tram, centered in the image, displays signs with text in Portuguese. At the top, there is a sign reading "M. RANTES-E-FERRO" and the number "24". On the side of the tram, two flyers are fixed to the rear windows. One reads "100% PARA A LIGHT E ROUBO! C.A.C.O." and the other "SO CONHECEMOS A FORÇA DO DIREITO E NAO O DIREITO DA FORÇA". In the center of the tram, a sign reading "1919" is visible. On the right, there is an advertisement for "VINHO Raposa" with images of bottles.

The fare increase was announced on a Tuesday, May 29th. Buses packed with outraged passengers created the perfect setting for spreading the news that, the following day, there would be a protest against the fare hike.

Students on strike – 1956 – Photographer unidentified. Correio da Manhã Collection/Arquivo Nacional

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a crowd seated on a tram. The image shows people sitting in rows, occupying the floor and part of the tram's benches. On the left, a few individuals are standing, while on the right, others are seated in higher rows. In the background, there is a sign with the name "PR. GEN. LISORIO."

Under the leadership of the National Union of Students (UNE), university and high school students blocked strategic points of the road network. At the corner of Passos and Presidente Vargas avenues, the students placed a piano on the tram tracks and danced to the sound of parodies such as "Senhor Negrão/Eu vou chamá-lo de tubarão/A um cruzeiro eu pago o bonde/A dois não pago não".

Students protest against streetcar fare increase – 1956 - Photographer unidentified. Correio da Manhã Collection/Arquivo Nacional

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a nighttime event. At the top, there is a tram with a sign reading "General Polidoro." People are gathered around the tram, some holding up signs. In the center, a man raises a sign that reads "G-500 Cm 200." The crowd stands watching the tram.

In Largo do Machado, a chess table blocked the tram's passage, while a ping-pong tournament livened up the Largo de São Francisco. All of it to the sound of a brass band that circulated through the interdicted spots. A coffin was placed in front of the UNE building, on Praia do Flamengo, in an act simulating the mayor's burial.

Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a public event. On the left, people are attentively watching a table with objects on it. In the center, two men are interacting with the items on the table. On the right, a man in a black suit is looking at the table. In the background, there is a streetcar with a sign reading "LAPA-PRACA 11" and the number "35" above it. The scene appears to be taking place in an urban location, possibly during the day, given the bright surroundings.

After 6 p.m., the number of protesters increased. And so did the repression. Military Police troops were sent to restore order with clubs. The clash was so intense that President Juscelino Kubitschek rushed back from Belo Horizonte to calm tempers. The next day, as the protests spread to other state capitals across the country, JK received student leaders at the Palácio do Catete. After negotiation, the fare increase was cut in half.