A Diary of Exclusion: Considered the largest vertical occupation in Latin America, the building was an old textile factory abandoned, and the owners owed millions in taxes to the municipal government. Some 2.000 people were living there, members of the Downtown Homeless Movement, which was led by 10 women from various occupied sites in the city. They were well organized, formed by thousands of people who formerly lived on the street, in squares or under bridges and overpasses. Like an army without shelter, they founded the Homeless Movement not only as a way to struggle for the right to housing, but to restore their own dignity, unraveled by lack of care and social segregation.

There is tremendous prejudice in Brazil against the homeless, who are often accused of being "rabble rouser" and "invaders" of empty and abandoned buildings. There are more than 400 sealed or under utilized buildings in downtown Sao Paulo. It is in these locations that the homeless want to live. Nevertheless, in recent years, "urban revitalization" projects have given emphasis to raising real estate values, and there is no room for the homeless. They are evicted towards the periphery. These revitalization projects sponsored by the city government and private companies (pressure of property speculation) do not give priority to reduce inequalities, but to exclusion, a social apartheid, which often includes violent actions from shock troops, security forces and private security.

After almost 5 years of occupation, in May 2007, a meeting joined leaders from federal, state and municipal sphere, giving a new direction for the Prestes Maia families. A progressive and pacific withdrawal happened and the occupation was closed.

Many had moved to with a support of the federal government, but are still waiting their promise: reform and rent for fair values social habitations for them.

Since July, 2007, the Prestes Maia building is closed, sealed with concrete blocks.