A series of actions will take place in more than 30 cities worldwide between 7 and 10 April to demand freedom for former Brazilian President Lula Da Silva. Lula was imprisoned on fabricated charges following a crusade headed by former prosecutor Sergio Moro, who has now been appointed Justice Minister in the extreme right-wing government of current President Jair Bolsonaro.
UNI Global Union General Secretary Christy Hoffman speaking in Geneva outside of the United Nations, told a group of more than 200 protestors who had come from all over Switzerland that Lula’s imprisonment was an affront not only to the people of Brazil but the enitre world.
“Lula lifted millions of Brazilians out of poverty with an inclusive government characterized by its respect for workers’ rights and human rights. His imprisonment is political persecution plain and simple. The labour movement around the world is coming together to demand that democracy and the rule of law are respected. That means Lula must be freed and that the progress made under his Presidency must be protected,” said Hoffman.
Since President Bolsonaro has become president, the rights of women, indigenous people, LGBTQ, and workers have been under attack. By many accounts, Lula would have won last year’s election had he not been unjustly imprisoned.
“Lula was falsely imprisoned in order to create the environment for the installation of Jair Bolsonaro, who is determined to destroy the hard-won social and economic gains of Lula’s Presidency and turn Brazil into a bargain-basement shop for Brazilian and foreign capital. Lula’s imprisonment is a travesty of justice, and trade unions around the world are standing with other progressive movements, united in our determination to have him released. We encourage everyone who supports democracy and opposes Brazil’s return to the dark days of dictatorship to join in the events next week,” said ITUC General Secretary Sharan Burrow.
To find out where events are happening, see: https://lula.com.br/confira-o-mapa-dos-atos-lula-livre-pelo-mundo/
