Bulletin 69 – People’s Committee for the Defense of Lula and Democracy
Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil – 5/9/2018 – 12:30 PM
- Three more bus caravans arrived today at the #LulaLivre Democratic Vigil in front of the Federal Police headquarters where ex-President Lula is being held as a political prisoner in Curitiba. They came from Espirito Santo, Mato Grosso do Sul and Santa Catarina. Together, they represent 200 more people joining the Democratic Vigil in Curitiba. They arrived early, full of energy, and participated in the customary “Good Morning” yell to Lula. The call of “Good Morning” is now repeated 13 times every morning to represent the PT Party’s ballot number of 13.
- An entourage of members of the Guarani Kaiowá and Terena Indigenous tribes from Dourados, Mato Grosso do Sul, who have spent the last week in Curitiba, said goodbye to the Vigil and the Marisa Leticia camp today. During the time they were here they participated in all of the protests at the Vigil, performed ritualistic dances and called on their deities to reestablish justice and for Lula to be released as quickly as possible.
- Yesterday afternoon the Mayor of Curitiba unilaterally canceled a meeting that was supposed to take place today with leaders of the Vigil and the Paraná Military police. On this Wednesday, May 9th, the agreement between the three parties, in which it was defined that police cars would be stationed at the location to guaranteed security and the activists would no longer use sound equipment, expires.
- On Tuesday night, before the end of the agreement and the meeting that was scheduled for today, the Military Police abandoned the camp, leaving the activists to fend for themselves and hope for the best. They also removed the ropes that blocked the passage of automobiles in the area and the support structures for the Vigil. The leaders of the Vigil, the Marisa Leticia camp leaders and the Paraná State PT Directorate, through its President, Dr. Rosinha, have vehemently objected to the failure of the Paraná Military Police to honor the agreement and say that they have taken all legal measures possible to reestablish security for the activists who are defending Lula and Democracy.
- Lula’s defense team is positioning itself against his transfer from the Federal Police headquarters in Curitiba to another facility in the state, which is more difficult to access for people who want to stay close to the ex-President while he is maintained incarcerated as a political prisoner. If he is transferred, the defense is requesting that it is to a location close to his residence in São Bernardo do Campo, São Paulo. The Brazilian Law of Penal Execution stipulates the right for people in State custody to stay near their families.
Bulletin 69 – People’s Committee for the Defense of Lula and Democracy
Curitiba – 5/9/2018 – 12:30 PM
