Free Lula – Justice for Marielle
On April 7, from prison, former Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva declared: “I have been unjustly imprisoned for a year, accused and convicted of a crime that never existed. Every day I spend here, my indignation grows, but I maintain faith in a fair trial in which the truth will prevail. I can sleep with a clear conscience. I doubt that those who convicted me in a judicial farce sleep well.”
Weeks earlier, on March 14, marked the one-year anniversary of the assassination in Rio de Janeiro of Marielle Franco , a sociologist, feminist, human rights activist and advocate for black women in Brazil, with a focus on the favelas of her country.
Raising the banners of Lula's liberation and the memory and example of Marielle Franco, the Latin American Council of Social Sciences is promoting the creation of the " Free Lula and Justice for Marielle " Committee in Argentina.
For its launch, a public event is being held in Buenos Aires, with the presence of former President Dilma Rousseff , surrounded by social, academic, trade union, human rights organizations, artists and political leaders from different sectors.
The meeting is on Thursday, April 25th at 6:00 PM at Avenida Santa Fe 4389, Autonomous City of Buenos Aires.
The venue has limited capacity. The event will be streamed online.
“I want to thank our Argentine brothers and sisters for their solidarity. I will be with you next Thursday in Buenos Aires. In Brazil, this dual struggle is the quintessential democratic struggle, because it exposes the authoritarian, neoliberal nature of the Brazilian government and the actions of the paramilitary militias,” Rousseff said in a telephone conversation with the organizers gathered at the Metropolitan University for Education and Labor (UMET).
More information at: www.lulalibre.org
Endorsements of the Argentine Committee for Lula's Freedom and Justice for Marielle
The dawn of the new century brought a new opportunity for our continent. The rise of progressive and populist governments was a consequence of the historical struggles of our societies and a collective yearning for a better future. A Copernican shift occurred thanks to the support of the majority, which allowed for the deepening of integration processes with nation-states that assumed leading roles. These processes entailed substantial progress in wealth distribution and the expansion of rights.
But every action provokes a reaction from those who resist losing their privileges. Halting the transformations became an imperative, and our democracies, through paths different from those of the past, were once again under attack.
Brazil is an example of this.
The parliamentary coup against Dilma Rousseff, which established a state of emergency still in effect, was accompanied by the conviction of an innocent woman to impose her electoral ban and deepen the democratic crisis. The unjust imprisonment of Lula, through the manipulation of the justice system, confirmed by the appointment of Judge Sergio Moro as Minister of Justice under Jair Bolsonaro, exposed the farce.
Political violence is another element that weakens the reality of our sister nation. The still unpunished assassination of social and political leader Marielle Franco is an affront that should shame us all.
As Latin Americans, we are united in the defense of true democracy on our continent. To that end, it is imperative to affirm “Free Lula” and “Justice for Marielle.”
For all these reasons, we support the Argentine Committee for the Freedom of Lula and Justice for Marielle.
