Lula compares protests against amnesty to redemocratization: "the spectacle of democracy"
The president praised the artists and protesters who took to the streets and highlighted democracy as "the greatest of all arts."
247 - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva highlighted, this Monday (22), the role of artists and the population in the demonstrations held throughout the country against the amnesty for those involved in the coup acts of January 8. In a public statement, Lula associated the current mobilization with historical moments of struggle for democracy in Brazil.
“I want to salute all the artists who joined tens of thousands of people in the streets across Brazil yesterday to defend justice and fight against impunity and amnesty. This brings to mind the 70s, during the redemocratization, when their voices joined the voice of a population clamoring for freedom. And the Diretas Já movement in the 80s, when they joined the people in shouting for the right to vote for president. This is the greatest of all arts: the spectacle of democracy,” he stated.
Lula also thanked the citizens who participated in the demonstrations in different capital cities, highlighting the importance of popular mobilization. "I also congratulate every Brazilian man and woman who participated in this mobilization in the streets and on social media to defend a more democratic and sovereign Brazil," he said.
Mobilizations in São Paulo and Rio
Last Sunday (21), protests gained momentum in the two largest capitals of the country. In São Paulo, 42,3 people gathered on Avenida Paulista, in front of the MASP, according to data from the Political Debate Monitor of the University of São Paulo (USP). In Rio de Janeiro, 41,8 protesters occupied the Copacabana waterfront, in an event called “Brazil in the streets”.
In addition to speeches by parliamentarians and political leaders, the event featured performances by Caetano Veloso, Chico Buarque, Gilberto Gil, Djavan, Marina Sena, Maria Gadú, and Os Garotin, who performed historic songs of political engagement, such as... Rotten powers, by Caetano, and Cup, sung by Chico and Gil.
