Zé Dirceu pays tribute to Ricardo Zarattini, who passed away this Sunday.
A key figure in the democratic struggle and father of federal deputy Carlos Zarattini, leader of the PT (Workers' Party) in the Chamber of Deputies, Ricardo Zarattini passed away this Sunday, the 15th, in São Paulo, at the age of 82; his fellow activist, former minister José Dirceu, wrote a tribute: "His reason for being was the revolution, and he dedicated all his last years, months, and days to the PT," recalls Dirceu; read the full text.
247 - A key figure in the democratic struggle and father of federal deputy Carlos Zarattini, leader of the PT in the Chamber of Deputies, Ricardo Zarattini passed away this Sunday, the 15th.
His friend and longtime comrade in activism, former minister José Dirceu, wrote a tribute. "His reason for being was the revolution, and he dedicated all his last years, months, and days to the PT," Dirceu recalled.
Congressman Paulo Teixeira (PT-SP) was one of the first to pay his respects: "My condolences and strength to our comrade." @CarlosZarattini "And to the family for the passing of the great fighter and activist Ricardo Zarattini," he posted on Twitter.
Carlos Zarattini also wrote a farewell text. Read below the full text of the tributes from Dirceu and Zarattini, respectively:
I have just received the news of the passing of my comrade Zarattini, with whom I shared a long and cherished friendship and political ties of struggle and combat.
I met Zara during the exchange of the American ambassador when we were freed, but he was already a long-time revolutionary, former president of the UEE, he was on the front lines of the "The oil is ours" struggle, he fought against the 64 coup, was arrested in 68, tortured, escaped, came to São Paulo, was arrested again in April 69, was brutally tortured again, now in the dragon's chair.
In Cuba, I had the privilege of living with Zara and learning from him, always seeking solutions for our struggle. He was active in the PCB, PCBR, ALN, Leninist Tendency. In '74 he returned to Brazil clandestinely and restarted the struggle, editing newspapers and seeking the unity of revolutionaries.
He was arrested again along with Dario Canale, an Italian communist militant whom I met in the 60s in the ALN. During the Constituent Assembly, he was an advisor to the PT. He worked in the PDT's advisory office and was elected alternate deputy in 2003 for the PT.
He took office in 2004, and I made a point of being present since it will impact me as an advisor in the Civil House. On his birthday in 2013, he held a political event in support of those convicted in AP 470. A protest and a call for solidarity.
This was Zara, already the OLD MAN as we respectfully and reverently called him. A whole beautiful life dedicated to Brazil and to the fight against imperialism, as he always made a point of emphasizing. His reason for being was the revolution, and he dedicated all his last years, months, and days to the PT (Workers' Party).
I personally have no words to express my gratitude to Zara, my friend and companion. I remember him in Cuba, always cheerful, debating, studying, writing, courageous, yet humble.
Zara was a charming man who captivated us with his affection and friendship. Controversial, but always striving for unity. I already missed him from afar, and now I honor his memory by continuing his fight.
See you later Zara, it's Zé, your comrade in arms.
Dirceu
Farewell to Old Zara
By Carlos Zarattini
"There are men who fight for a day and are good, there are others who fight for a year and are better, there are those who fight for many years and are very good. But there are those who fight all their lives, and these are indispensable."
Few lives have so completely deserved this poem by Brecht as that of Ricardo Zarattini, who passed away today in São Paulo at the age of 82. Until his last lucid moment, he discussed the situation of the country, proposing initiatives and actions to all who visited him in the hospital.
He deeply understood the gravity of the moment, drawing from nearly 70 years of activism for national sovereignty. He actively participated as a student leader in the "The Oil is Ours" campaign, fighting for a more just country and for democracy. Imprisoned by the military dictatorship, he was exiled and lived in Cuba. Upon returning to Brazil, he became involved in the struggle to regain democracy and for amnesty. He was a leader of the Brazilian Communist Party and the MR-8, and in the 80s he joined the PT (Workers' Party).
He was a federal deputy during Lula's first term. He leaves behind his children, Carlos Alberto Zarattini, a federal deputy for the PT (Workers' Party), and Mônica Zarattini, a photographer, as well as three granddaughters and a huge legion of comrades who shared his teachings, his experience, and his eternal youthfulness, energetically fighting for a sovereign and just Brazil for the majority of its people," said Councilor Antonio Donato Madormo.