ВойтиRally in Rio recalls January 8, rejects amnesty for coup plotters
Labor unions and social movements held a demonstration in defense of democracy on Thursday (Jan. 8) in Cinelândia, a central area of Rio de Janeiro. The mobilization marked the third anniversary of the January 8, 2023 attacks, a critical moment in the attempted coup d’état being judged by the Brazilian Supreme Court. On that day, supporters of then former president Jair Bolsonaro invaded and vandalized the National Congress, the Planalto presidential palace, and the Supreme Court in Brasília.
For the president of the Unified Workers’ Central of the state of Rio de Janeiro (CUT-RJ), Sandro César, the date symbolizes the need for permanent vigilance.
“This act marks another year since the unspeakable movement carried out by coup plotters in Brazil to debase Brazilian democracy and overthrow the Democratic Rule of Law. It is something we thought was distant, but it has happened again in Brazil,” said César.
He also highlighted the role of the convictions as a historical example.
“The former president imprisoned, coup-plotting generals imprisoned, and those involved in the coup imprisoned. This is what should happen when the Constitution of the Republic is violated in an attempt to debase it and to break the constitutional, republican, and democratic pact of Brazil. It is an important lesson so that future generations may never again imagine or attempt to do something like this,” added the union leader.
The president of the Rio de Janeiro Bank Workers Union (Seeb/Rio), José Ferreira, criticized any initiative to pardon those involved.
“We cannot accept amnesty for the coup plotters, nor this strategy they claim is not amnesty - the recalculation of sentences - which is nothing more than a generic form of amnesty. Lula vetoed the bill, but it will return to Congress, and we need to take to the streets to pressure parliament against this benefit for those who want to steal democracy,” Ferreira noted.
João Pedro, a militant of the Juntos youth movement (anti-fascist, anti-capitalist, and eco-socialist) and of the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL-RJ), emphasized the importance of continuous mobilization.
“On this important date, we remember the need to always remain mobilized. We need to be attentive to the constant attacks from the far right that we have been experiencing,” said the militant.
“It is essential to start the year with mobilization. It is necessary to resist, but also to present an alternative to the crisis, to show that it is possible to build another society and to overcome the horizons that are set for us today,” he added.
January 8
Three years ago, thousands of protesters marched through the Esplanade of Ministries, broke through police blockades, and attacked the headquarters of the Three Powers, demanding the overthrow of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who had been democratically elected and sworn in just a week earlier.
Three years later, the Supreme Court had convicted 1,399 people involved in the coup attempts. The data were updated on Monday (5) by the office of Justice Alexandre de Moraes, rapporteur of the cases. According to the report, 179 people are in prison, 114 of them serving sentences in a closed regime after the final judgment of their convictions. Another 50 are under house arrest, and 15 are in preventive detention.
The convictions include former President Jair Bolsonaro and 28 former members of his government, held responsible for planning a coup attempt to prevent Lula’s inauguration. Among those imprisoned are also five former members of the top brass of the Military Police of the Federal District, convicted of omission for allowing protesters access to the Three Powers Square.
