US steelworkers support Lula

Bulletin 115 – Popular Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy

Live from Curitiba – April 13, 2018 – 22:40 AM

1. Today's "Good Morning" event for Lula included the participation of an international delegation of education workers who are in the capital of Paraná for an event in defense of the former president. Present at the event were the president of the National Confederation of Education Workers (CNTE), Heleno Araújo; the Secretary-General of Education International (EI), David Edwards; the Secretary of International Relations of CTERA (Confederation of Education Workers of Argentina), Eduardo Pereyra; and the Regional Coordinator of EI in Costa Rica, Combertty Rodriguez. Read more here: http://www.pt.org.br/trabalhadores-da-educacao-visitam-a-vigilia-lula-livre/

2. The international delegation of education workers participated in a discussion at the #FreeLula Democratic Vigil on the theme "Education and Democratic Freedoms," which highlighted the attack on education as a right for all, with the imposition of a market-driven vision in several countries. Public policies of the Lula and Dilma governments that expanded access to education in a democratic and participatory manner, with a focus on providing compensation for historically excluded populations, were also highlighted.

3. During the International Act of Solidarity with Lula, David Edwards, Secretary-General of IE, an organization based in Brussels, Belgium, said that Lula is a globally respected symbol for his political action, his contributions, and all the social progress he has promoted worldwide, particularly in Latin America. "Therefore, we must make every effort to ensure Lula's release; this is directly linked to the defense of human rights. The world knows that Lula is a political prisoner and that the Justice system has failed to present evidence against him," he said.

4. The writer, sociologist, and feminist activist Moema Viezzer launched her book "The Greatest Genocide in Human History - more than 70 million victims among indigenous peoples" with a discussion panel on Environmental Law.

5. The Senate's Constitution and Justice Committee approved a request this Wednesday for a cross-party parliamentary commission to verify the conditions of former President Lula's imprisonment in Curitiba, at the headquarters of the Federal Police Superintendency. The commission will be formalized in the coming days and will schedule the visit with the relevant penal authorities as soon as possible.

6. The 37th UAW (United American Metalworkers) Congress in Detroit (USA), with the presence of thirty foreign delegations, was marked by solidarity with the struggles for the liberation of former President Lula. Posters with the inscription #LulaLivre and #FreeLula and the signatures of the leaders participating in the meeting will be delivered to former President Lula in Curitiba. The meeting ends tomorrow, the 14th. The union leaders discussed, among other things, global attacks on the rights of the working class, coups against democracy, and the worldwide political growth of the right and far-right.

Bulletin 115 – Popular Committee in Defense of Lula and Democracy
Live from Curitiba – April 13, 2018 – 22:40 AM