Whilst American and European politicians debate higher walls and lower numbers, thousands of migrants and refugees are carving out a new, visible existence in the shopping arcades of São Paulo. In the heart of South America’s largest city, a provocative proposition is becoming reality: for those seeking dignity, the Global South is a better destination than the debt-ridden West.
West African music fills the air in the colourful shopping arcades around Praça da República in the centre of São Paulo. Piles of trainers and racks of fabrics are on display. People stop by each other’s shops or stalls for a chat. Portuguese is the main language spoken. “Here, people from Senegal, Nigeria and Congo are rebuilding their lives,” says Mekebib Tadasse Assefa as he walks through the arcade. He is an Ethiopian refugee and founder of the NGO FEB3. In his view, refugees are better off staying in Brazil than chasing their European or American dream. “Here you have the chance to be part of society, rather than living a life as a third-class citizen.”
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