PT supports peaceful protests: "democracy cannot be intimidated"
In a statement signed by the leaders in the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, Enio Verri and Rogério Carvalho, and by the president, Gleisi Hoffmann, the Workers' Party (PT) says it supports the demonstrations next Sunday. "We, of the Workers' Party, stand in solidarity with those who participate in these acts and suffer attacks from repression and provocateurs."
247 - The Workers' Party released a statement this Thursday (4) in support of the demonstrations scheduled for next Sunday (7) in defense of democracy and against fascism. The party recommends to members and demonstrators in general that they “redouble their precautions, using masks to avoid contagion, maintaining distance and not engaging in provocations”. The statement is signed by the party president, congresswoman Gleisi Hoffmann, and by the leaders in the Chamber, Enio Verri, and Senate, Rogério Carvalho.
The positioning goes against a article published by professor, political scientist and anthropologist Luiz Eduardo Soares, for whom the acts will be used by infiltrators to provoke vandalism and violence in the streets and consequent repression and execution of a coup by the government of Jair Bolsonaro. The text was refuted by Guilherme Boulos, leader of the MTST, PSOL, and the People Without Fear Front., who stated that the confrontation should take place in the streets, which have been occupied by the far right, and with all due precautions due to the coronavirus crisis.
Read the full note:
Democracy cannot be intimidated.
The peaceful street demonstrations against Bolsonaro and fascism are the new fact in the struggle for democracia and for life in BrazilThese are legitimate actions, protected by Article 5. Constitutionwhich expressly guarantees the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association.
Considering the conditions imposed by pandemicWe recommend that participants in the demonstrations observe, as closely as possible, the measures recommended by... OMS, such as wearing masks and social distancing.
Democratic activists participating in these events must also resist provocations and isolate infiltrators, who have already been acting to try to distort the nature of the demonstrations and provide a pretext for... repression and to the discourse of closing down the regime.
We, the Workers PartyWe stand in solidarity with those who participate in these acts and suffer attacks from repression and provocateurs.
The attempt to criminalize social movements and popular demonstrations and democratic protests aim to normalize the neo-fascist and authoritarian project of the current government, which is contrary to national interests and the rights of the people.
We reaffirm our commitment to Democracy, the Constitution, and democratic institutions, while vehemently repudiating any and all initiatives aimed at criminalizing, repressing, intimidating, or manipulating the true objectives of peaceful movements and demonstrations in defense of democracy in Brazil.
We will not accept the intimidation of Democracy!
Brasilia, June 04, 2020.
Gleisi Hoffmann – National President of PT
Enio Verri – Leader of PT bench na Câmara dos Deputados
Rogerio Carvalho – Leader of the Parliamentary Group of PT in the Senate Federal