Public Project
Uber Revolution
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Uber Revolution
Location: São Paulo
Nationality: Brazilian
Focus:
Documentary, Photography, Assignments, Storyteller, Environmental Stories, Breaking News, Social Justice
Covering:
Latin America,
Skills:
Research, Translator, Graphic Design, Color Correction, Photo Editing, Branding, Copywriting, Multimedia Production, Photojournalism, Retouching, Fundraiser, Drone Pilot, News Writing, Canva, Adobe Creative Suite, Photoshop
Clients:
National Geographic,
The Washington Post
The Guardian
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
July 1, 2020
Thousands of cyclists and motorbikes flood the streets of São Paulo during the first strike of application delivery workers in Brazil on July 1. Delivery men are mostly Black men and come from the outskirts of the city. Their job is very risky with few guarantees. The pandemic has worsened conditions, as more unemployed people join the applications, facing lower pay and greater health risks. During the strike their colorful backpacks gleamed in the winter sun, and the workers were joyous, feeling their collective power after daily work in isolation. The smell of gasoline filled the air, as they revved their engines and pulled wheelies. The workers savored a rare moment of dominating the streets. Wearing a delivery backpack, which usually relegates them to the back entrances at restaurants, and stolen naps on park benches, suddenly became a point of pride. The massive turn-out in Brazil drew media attention, public support and galvanized workers.
Thousands of cyclists and motorbikes flood the streets of São Paulo during the first strike of application delivery workers in Brazil on July 1. Delivery men are mostly Black men and come from the outskirts of the city. Their job is very risky with few guarantees. The pandemic has worsened conditions, as more unemployed people join the applications, facing lower pay and greater health risks. During the strike their colorful backpacks gleamed in the winter sun, and the workers were joyous, feeling their collective power after daily work in isolation. The smell of gasoline filled the air, as they revved their engines and pulled wheelies. The workers savored a rare moment of dominating the streets. Wearing a delivery backpack, which usually relegates them to the back entrances at restaurants, and stolen naps on park benches, suddenly became a point of pride. The massive turn-out in Brazil drew media attention, public support and galvanized workers.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
April 7, 2020
Diego Alberto dos Santos Jesus, 24, lives in a homeless occupation in the East Zone of São Paulo. His one-room wooden shack has barely any furniture, including a disconnected oven and the Rappi bag, which he uses to store food. Diego has been a production assistant, logistics operator, general assistant, gardener and builder's assistant. Today he works part-time with a motorcycle on loan from a friend, earning an average of 4 dollars a day. It is thanks to the community kitchen of the occupation, which operates based on donations, that he has food access.
Diego Alberto dos Santos Jesus, 24, lives in a homeless occupation in the East Zone of São Paulo. His one-room wooden shack has barely any furniture, including a disconnected oven and the Rappi bag, which he uses to store food. Diego has been a production assistant, logistics operator, general assistant, gardener and builder's assistant. Today he works part-time with a motorcycle on loan from a friend, earning an average of 4 dollars a day. It is thanks to the community kitchen of the occupation, which operates based on donations, that he has food access.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
June 10, 2020
Fernando Pereira was an entrepreneur in Chile and had a travel agency focused on the Brazilian public. He returned to Brazil in 2020 and today lives with his friend Paulo Jr in a boarding house in downtown Sao Paulo working for delivery apps. Even with the deliveries, he depends on food donations from institutions spread throughout downtown. Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
Fernando Pereira was an entrepreneur in Chile and had a travel agency focused on the Brazilian public. He returned to Brazil in 2020 and today lives with his friend Paulo Jr in a boarding house in downtown Sao Paulo working for delivery apps. Even with the deliveries, he depends on food donations from institutions spread throughout downtown. Some names have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
July 18, 2020
Alexsandro dos Santos in his home after an accident during a delivery that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Alexsandro dos Santos Souza was working for “Zé Delivery App,” a Brazilian alcohol delivery company, on April 21, when another motorcyclist hit him on a São Paulo highway. Dos Santos has not received support from Ze Delivery. “Even before the pandemic, I worked all day as a delivery worker,” he says. “I would leave my house at 6 a.m. and come back at midnight, making 1,000 reais a week [$119]. You make money but you don't live. If it wasn't for my family, I'd be depressed, I'd die." According to data from Infosiga, the São Paulo State Traffic Accidents Information Management System, 39 motorcyclists died in traffic incidents in the city of São Paulo in March 2020, compared to 21 during March 2019.
Alexsandro dos Santos in his home after an accident during a delivery that resulted in the amputation of his left leg. Alexsandro dos Santos Souza was working for “Zé Delivery App,” a Brazilian alcohol delivery company, on April 21, when another motorcyclist hit him on a São Paulo highway. Dos Santos has not received support from Ze Delivery. “Even before the pandemic, I worked all day as a delivery worker,” he says. “I would leave my house at 6 a.m. and come back at midnight, making 1,000 reais a week [$119]. You make money but you don't live. If it wasn't for my family, I'd be depressed, I'd die." According to data from Infosiga, the São Paulo State Traffic Accidents Information Management System, 39 motorcyclists died in traffic incidents in the city of São Paulo in March 2020, compared to 21 during March 2019.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
July 15, 2020
Giovani Adorno, 23, and Anderson Rodrigues da Silva, 39, have dinner after a discouraging day. They were connected from morning until night-time on the iFood app and only had four deliveries. The pair are neighbors and live in Embu das Artes, a city in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, 30km from the center of the capital.
Giovani Adorno, 23, and Anderson Rodrigues da Silva, 39, have dinner after a discouraging day. They were connected from morning until night-time on the iFood app and only had four deliveries. The pair are neighbors and live in Embu das Artes, a city in the metropolitan area of São Paulo, 30km from the center of the capital.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
July 1, 2020
To avoid reprisals, a Motorcycle Plate is covered with a mask by protesters during the app deliverers' strike Thousands of cyclists and motorbikes flooded the streets of São Paulo during the first strike of application delivery workers in Brazil in July, 2020. Delivery men are mostly Black men and come from the outskirts of the city. Their job is very risky with few guarantees. The pandemic has worsened conditions, as more unemployed people join the applications, facing lower pay and greater health risks. The massive turn-out drew media attention, public support and galvanized workers.
To avoid reprisals, a Motorcycle Plate is covered with a mask by protesters during the app deliverers' strike Thousands of cyclists and motorbikes flooded the streets of São Paulo during the first strike of application delivery workers in Brazil in July, 2020. Delivery men are mostly Black men and come from the outskirts of the city. Their job is very risky with few guarantees. The pandemic has worsened conditions, as more unemployed people join the applications, facing lower pay and greater health risks. The massive turn-out drew media attention, public support and galvanized workers.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
May 31, 2020
The discontent of the application delivery workers was evident in the first major demonstration against the Bolsonaro Government during the pandemic in Brazil, organized by football fans on May 31. During the confrontation, initiated by police action, some of the bravest demonstrators carried their fluorescent bags.
The discontent of the application delivery workers was evident in the first major demonstration against the Bolsonaro Government during the pandemic in Brazil, organized by football fans on May 31. During the confrontation, initiated by police action, some of the bravest demonstrators carried their fluorescent bags.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
July 1, 2020
During the July 1st strike the app delivery men's colorful backpacks gleamed in the winter sun, and the workers were joyous, feeling their collective power after daily work in isolation. The smell of gasoline filled the air, as they revved their engines and pulled wheelies. The workers savored a rare moment of dominating the streets. Wearing a delivery backpack, which usually relegates them to the back entrances at restaurants, and stolen naps on park benches, suddenly became a symbol of pride.
During the July 1st strike the app delivery men's colorful backpacks gleamed in the winter sun, and the workers were joyous, feeling their collective power after daily work in isolation. The smell of gasoline filled the air, as they revved their engines and pulled wheelies. The workers savored a rare moment of dominating the streets. Wearing a delivery backpack, which usually relegates them to the back entrances at restaurants, and stolen naps on park benches, suddenly became a symbol of pride.
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© 2025 Rafael Vilela
July 1, 2020
While geographically dispersed, delivery workers have found ways to connect and organize themselves through the use of their bikes and motorcycles, allowing them to gather and dissipate quickly. They also take advantage of smart phones, messaging apps, and social media.
While geographically dispersed, delivery workers have found ways to connect and organize themselves through the use of their bikes and motorcycles, allowing them to gather and dissipate quickly. They also take advantage of smart phones, messaging apps, and social media.
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