RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazilian authorities have demolished the home of a slum dweller whose fight to stay in her residence near Rio de Janeiro's Olympic Park came to symbolize the fight between the city and residents of the Vila Autodromo shantytown.
Maria da Penha had long resisted pressure to leave her home, but bulldozers tore it down early Tuesday.
Vila Autodromo was once home to around 700 families. Most have left under pressure from the city or for offers of compensation or resettlement help, but about 50 of the families refused to move out.
The residents contend Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes had promised to allow them to stay in their homes.
Much of Olympic Park is due to be transformed into housing developments after the Games are held in Rio in August.
