Brazil’s ex-president sends letter to thank MST for their support in face of political persecution against him
Lula speaking to MST activists at a camp in the state of Minas Gerais in 2017 / Ricardo Stuckert
The action in solidarity with Lula da Silva could face a crackdown after defying a court order prohibiting the encampment.
With the arrest of ex-president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to serve a 12-year sentence, Brazil’s rightwing is attempting to complete its parliamentary coup begun with the impeachment of Dilma Rousseff. A brief recap of the events leading to Lula’s imprisonment on April 7 is useful.
Lula and Stedile
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel has begun a petition to nominate Lula for the Nobele Peace Prize. The link to the petition is: https://www.change.org/p/nobel-de-la-paz-para-lula-da-silva-nobel-peace-prize-for-lula-da-silva
Adolfo Pérez Esquivel is an Argentinian peace activist that was imprisoned by the military dictatorship for his non-violent opposition. He is a 1980 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize.
Sample letter
Honorable Ministers of the Supreme Federal Tribunal:
I (we) write in protest of the denial of the Habeas Corpus petition of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The imprisonment of Lula, in violation of the Brazilian Constitution, only serves to undermine democracy by denying the people of Brazil the right to choose who they want as president.
For nearly six hours, thousands of people blocked the exits and tried to stop the ex-president from going to Curitiba
Lula is carried by the people who stood outside the Metal Worker's Union / Ricardo Stuckert
Brazil’s ex-president spoke to thousands of supporters before turning himself in to the police
Lula is carried by the people who stood outside the Metal Worker's Union /Paulo Pinto/Fotos Públicas
Social movements and other allies from the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Europe condemn the political persecution and threat of imprisonment against Lula, the leading candidate in Brazil’s October presidential election. Brazil’s weakened democracy is at stake.
According to Keli Mafort, of the national coordination of the MST, the agrarian counter-reform by the coup government must be defeated in the struggle.
