In the early years of the 1960s, the student movement established itself as a relevant political actor in Brazil. At a time of institutional instability, the União Nacional dos Estudantes (UNE) managed to influence not only the debates regarding University Reform, but also the discussions about the country's direction. Its work through the Centro Popular de Cultura (CPC) was fundamental in also winning the support of intellectuals and the artistic class.
In Rio de Janeiro, the political and cultural buzz promoted by the UNE had a fixed address: its headquarters at 132 Praia do Flamengo. In 1961, the CPC moved into the third floor and set up a large theater there, a stage for meetings, assemblies, and artistic performances. The UNE thus became a symbol of an active, engaged left.
The building at Praia do Flamengo 132, headquarters of the União Nacional dos Estudantes since the 1940s – 10/05/1963 – Fundo Correio da Manhã/Arquivo Nacional
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a building entrance. At the top, there is a sign with text in Portuguese. On the left and right, we see windows with decorative frames. In the central part, there is an entrance with two open doors, revealing people inside. The sign above the entrance reads "UNE-UBES CONTRA ESTADO SITID PELAS LIBERDADES DEMOCRÁTICAS PELAS LIBERDADES SINDICAIS".It was not by chance that the building on Flamengo beach was one of the first targets of the right-wing groups that supported the 1964 Military Coup. On March 31st, when news of the military uprising spread, leaders of the UNE and the CPC called a meeting in order to decide how to proceed in that situation. Since the news arriving was contradictory, part of the group chose to stay on in vigil. During the night, a car drove by firing machine-gun bursts. Known to some of the artists, the commander of the III Air Zone was contacted and sent soldiers to the site.
On the following day, April 1st, the Military Coup was already a fact. Without the protection of sectors of the Air Force, the UNE headquarters was an easy target. Paramilitary groups invaded the site, ransacked the rooms, and threw furniture, papers, and books out of the windows. The people who remained safeguarding the building had to rush out through the back. Before long, flames could be seen – Molotov cocktails were thrown onto the building's three floors. The destruction of the UNE headquarters was, beyond physical, symbolic: it showed the intolerance with which the student movement would be treated during the 21 years of the Military Dictatorship.
Fire destroys the UNE building on Flamengo Beach - Agência O Globo - 04/01/1964
Image description: This is a black-and-white photograph of a violent event taking place in front of a building. On the left, we see a group of people watching the scene. In the center, there is a blazing fire, with thick smoke rising. On the right, more people are present, some appearing to be sheltered under an umbrella. The building in the background has several windows and balconies, some of them damaged.
