"Never forget so it never happens again," says Alckmin at an event marking 50 years since the death of Vladimir Herzog.

247 - “Never forget so that it never happens again.” With this phrase, the acting President of the Republic, Geraldo Alckmin, summarized the spirit of the interreligious act that marked the 50th anniversary of the death of journalist Vladimir Herzog, held on Saturday night (25) at the Sé Cathedral, in São Paulo. The meeting honored the victims of the military dictatorship and re-enacted the historic ecumenical act of 1975, which brought together thousands of people against repression and state violence.

The ceremony brought together religious leaders, authorities, artists, journalists, and representatives of human rights organizations. Organized by the Vladimir Herzog Institute and the Arns Commission, the event reaffirmed the importance of memory and truth as pillars of democracy.

Memory and resistance

During his speech, Alckmin recalled the original event in 1975, when about 8 people filled the Sé Cathedral in silence to condemn the assassination of Herzog, then director of journalism at TV Cultura.

"Fifty years ago, the silence was not born of fear or omission. It represented the most eloquent protest, the most resounding cry of 'enough' to the cruel dictatorship," stated the acting president.

He also emphasized that the truth prevailed over the official version of suicide released by the military. “Not even the most cowardly of lies, forged by the vilest of tyrannies, was able to erase the brutal truth that befell the country. Just as, in the defense of truth, there was no place for the farce of suicide, in the same way, for the love of freedom, there will never be room for our forgetting,” he concluded.

The State's commitment to democracy

The journalist's son, Ivo Herzog, highlighted the symbolic relevance of Alckmin's presence at the event. “Fifty years ago, when more than 8,000 people came to this cathedral to demonstrate their outrage at the barbarity committed against my father, there was fear of the State. Today, in the person of the acting president, we have the State hand in hand with us, reaffirming its commitment to democracy, justice, human rights, and truth,” he said.

Historic pardon request from the Military Justice system.

One of the most striking moments of the ceremony was the speech by the president of the Superior Military Court, Minister Maria Elizabeth Rocha, the first woman to hold the position. In a solemn tone, she made a public apology for the omissions and errors committed by the Military Justice system during the regime.

“I ask forgiveness from all those who fell and suffered fighting for freedom. Forgiveness for the judicial errors and omissions committed during the dictatorship. I ask forgiveness from Vladimir Herzog and his family, and from so many other men and women who suffered torture, death, forced disappearances, and exile,” he declared.

According to the minister, the gesture represents "an apology to Brazilian society and to the country's history for the mistakes made by the Military Justice system to the detriment of democracy."

Fraternity and communion for freedom

The ceremony featured performances by the Luther King Choir and speeches by religious leaders, including Archbishop Odilo Pedro Scherer, Reverend Anita Wright — daughter of Reverend Jaime Wright, one of the organizers of the 1975 event — and Rabbi Rav Uri Lam.

Concluding the celebration, Alckmin emphasized that the memory of Vladimir Herzog symbolizes the defense of the sacred values ​​of freedom and human rights. "I reaffirm here, on behalf of President Lula and myself, our unwavering commitment to truth, justice, and democracy," he said.

A call for national unity

Finally, he concluded with an appeal for national unity. “The communion of fraternity that we celebrate today is the same communion we need to achieve in our country. We must learn from the lessons of history and move forward together in the ideal of building a common future.”