World · Latin America · 2 hrs ago
Woman handcuffed by metro security after suspected racism incident in São Paulo
A passenger was handcuffed by metro security at Paulista station in São Paulo after a dispute on Thursday evening.
The incident followed a suspected racist episode in which the woman and her siblings were allegedly targeted by another passenger, who reportedly left before security intervened.
Security staff restrained one person and held two others, according to the company that operates the Yellow Line; passengers said the woman’s siblings, who are minors, were also handcuffed.
Video shows staff holding the woman down, while passengers tried to intervene.
Everyone involved was taken to the 78th Police District for the case to be investigated.
The company said it rejects violence and will cooperate with the authorities, while police officials had not responded to requests for comment.
A woman was handcuffed by security staff at Paulista station in São Paulo after a reported altercation involving a suspected racism incident.
The incident reportedly happened at about 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15.
CNN Brasil reported that the woman and her siblings said another woman had been racist toward them before leaving the station.
ViaMobilidade said one person was immobilized and two others were restrained because those involved were agitated.
Those involved were taken to the 78th Police District, where the case is to be investigated.
- Who
- A woman and her siblings, another woman, and metro security staff were involved.
- What
- A woman was handcuffed after a reported altercation linked to a suspected racism incident.
- When
- About 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15.
- Where
- Paulista station on São Paulo Metro’s Yellow Line 4.
- Why
- CNN Brasil reported that the woman and her siblings were allegedly victims of racism. ViaMobilidade said staff intervened because those involved were agitated.
Passenger-side account
ViaMobilidade
Reason for incident
Passenger-side account
CNN Brasil reported that the woman and her siblings were allegedly victims of racism by another woman, who then left.
ViaMobilidade
ViaMobilidade described the incident as a disagreement between customers and said staff acted because those involved were agitated.
Security response
Passenger-side account
Passengers said the woman was restrained and handcuffed, and that her younger siblings were also handcuffed.
ViaMobilidade
ViaMobilidade said one person was immobilized and two others were restrained.
A reported altercation took place at Paulista station.
Metro security staff intervened and restrained people involved.
Those involved were taken to the 78th Police District for the case to be investigated.
- Station
- Paulista station
- Metro line
- Yellow Line 4
- Operator
- ViaMobilidade
- Reported time
- About 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 15
- Police district
- 78th Police District
What people are saying
The concessionaire repudiates any form of violence and remains available to the competent authorities to assist with the investigation of the facts.