even when demolitions are not an issue, many efforts by city officials to remove or relocate some favela residents have been unsuccessful due to the people's unwillingness to move away from their communities despite the many, and often serious, problems systemic to these areas.

a very celebrated example of residents' love for their communities is found in the lyrics of opinião (opinion), a cherished song by the famous samba composer zé keti.

written in response to the relocation of favela residents to safer city housing projects, he sang 'they can arrest me, beat me, starve me - but i won't change my mind, here from the hill, i wont leave... and if i die, i'm near the sky already' - the original and complete lyrics can be seen on this link.