A series of violent attacks began against people experiencing homelessness around Praça da Sé in downtown São Paulo. The violence continued over several nights, lasting from 19 to 22 August 2004, and became known as the Massacre da Sé. Reports and summaries of the case state that multiple victims were struck in the head while they slept, resulting in seven deaths and several seriously injured survivors. The case drew national attention to the vulnerability of homeless populations and failures in protection and accountability.
