Bulletin 165 – People’s Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil – 8/2/2018 – 8 PM
- Pope Francis sent a hand-written message to ex-President Lula, who has been a political prisoner since April 7th. “To Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva with my blessings, requesting that he pray for me,” says the note by the Pope, which was given to ex-Minister Celso Amorim to deliver to the former President during a meeting this morning, August 2nd, in the Vatican, together with Argentinian ex-Minister Alberto Fernández and the former Chilean Senator Carlos Ominami. Read more here: http://www.pt.org.br/celso-amorim-tem-audiencia-com-papa-sobre-situacao-de-lula/
- The singers Chico Buarque and Martinho da Vila visited ex-President Lula today in his cell where he is being held as a political prisoner. Chico Buarque said that Lula is in good spirits and determined to go to all lengths to prove his innocence and not accept any offer to “exchange his dignity for freedom”. The musician criticized judge Carolina Lebbos’ decision to prevent Lula from giving interviews. “The big newspapers should insist on coming here and interviewing him. Do you think the judge would say no to Globo?” he asked. Read more here: http://www.pt.org.br/chico-buarque-e-martinho-da-vila-falam-sobre-visita-a-lula/
- The 118th day of resistance in the #LulaLivre Democratic Vigil started with the welcoming of the Semiarid Region Caravan against Hunger, which arrived late the night before with 110 activists from the Northeast and Minas Gerais. They led the morning greeting to the ex-President and coordinated various activities during the day, such as a conversation circle entitled, “Political Context in Brazil – the Farmers of the Semiarid Region,” facilitated by Via Campesina activists Naidson Quintela and Roberto Bagio.
- The Vigil issued a public statement in solidarity with the 6 comrades who started a hunger strike three days ago in Brasilia for the release of Lula and adherence to the Constitution. The 6 social movement activists began a delicate period today, with headaches, anxiety, insomnia, dehydration and symptoms of fatigue.
- Political science professors from several different states participated in the “Good Afternoon” shout to Lula today. They are in Curitiba participating in the Brazilian Political Scientist Association Congress. Bárbara Dias, from the Universidade Federal do Pará said that she is shocked by the violence of the Coup in Brazil, but believes that Lula will win the elections and, when he returns to the presidency, will reverse the dismantling of the country.
- The Committee in Defense of Democracy and the Democratic Rule of Law and other organizations began a billboard campaign in Porto Alegre in defense of freedom for Lula. There will be three different billboards with illustrations by Zoravia Bertiol, Edgar Vasques and Santiago. The campaign, called, “Conviction without proof is persecution. Free Lula” denounces the irregularities related to the arbitrary trial and conviction of the ex-President. Read more here: https://www.cut.org.br/noticias/condenacao-sem-provas-e-perseguicao-afirma-campanha-de-outdoors-no-rs-83af
Bulletin 165 – People’s Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil – 8/2/2018 – 8 PM
