Bulletin 14 – People’s Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy
From Curitiba, Brazil – 4/11/2018 9:50 PM
1. A web site is now online where every Brazilian can contribute to the democratic struggle promoted by the Democratic Vigil #LulaLivre camp in Curitiba: https://vigilialulalivre.pt.org.br
2. Fernando Haddad, Lula’s ex-Minister of Education and ex-Mayor of São Paulo, visited the Democratic Vigil and, together with Jaques Wagner, ex-Governor of Bahia, participated in the evening protest. In addition to demanding that the Constitution be respected, they both emphasized that PT does not have a “Plan B”. The only plan is Lula and his candidacy for the presidency will be registered on August 15.
3. Regarding the note and declarations made by the Federal Police Delegates Union attacking the Democratic Vigil #LulaLivre, we reiterate that this is a democratic, peaceful occupation that is underway in reaction to the violent act represented by taken freedom away from an innocent man who is beloved by the Brazilian people. Every day a group of 80 volunteers collects the garbage, cleans the portable toilets and organizes the use of the occupied public space. The relationship with the neighbors is of tranquil dialogue and their hospitality is visible as they provide us with food, electricity and water, as well as participate in the communal kitchen. The only thing that is creating any kind of risk at the moment is the farcical political imprisonment of Lula becoming unsustainable due to the Brazilian and worldwide public opinion on the matter.
4. Today was one of the camp’s busiest to date, with over 4000 people coming to visit during the day. Many recreational activities took place and the camp created its own carnaval bloco, Lula Livre. The youth theater presentation by the MST, which denounced the wrong turn in the role of the judiciary, was a success. Yes, the political struggle should also use art, as the Curitiban poet who was with us in spirit, Paulo Leminksi, said, “In the Class struggle, all of the weapons are good, stones, nights, poems”.
5. The donations continue to pour in. Today the camp received milk, bread, margarine and chocolates. Among the donors were three civil police officers who brought their gifts directly to the tent set up for this purpose. A campaign to collect food for the camp was kicked off today in the city of São José dos Campos, São Paulo. In less that 24 hours half a ton of food has been collected for the Democratic Vigil #LulaLivre camp.
6. In Montevideo and Buenos Aires thousands of angry people took to the streets in front of the Brazilian embassies. Last night, (April 10) there was a beautiful protest in Quito, Ecuador with thousands of people denouncing the coup and Lula’s political imprisonment.
7. Another permanent camp was set up in Brasilia to protest for the freedom of our ex-president and today another protest took place in front of the Federal Supreme Court, which included the presence of congressmen and senators, directors and activists from the PT and from other leftist political parties. In São Paulo, as this bulletin was being prepared, another large crowd was participating in a protest which includes 30 of the best musical acts in Brazil. The event is being held in protest against Lula’s imprisonment and to honor the memory of Marielle Franco.
Bulletin 14 – People’s Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy
Curitiba, 4/11/2018 9:50 PM
