Union Members Join Activists Protesting Attacks on Brazilian Democracy, Treatment of Former President

NEW YORK, Sept. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- American unions will join the Defend Democracy in Brazil Committee at the United Nations on Tuesday, Sept. 25, to protest the actions of the current Brazilian government. In particular, they will be calling attention to attacks on democracy in Brazil and the treatment of former popular President President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, known as Lula, who has been in jail on unproven charges, preventing his run for President in the upcoming elections.

From 2003 to 2011 the government of Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva embraced social and racial inclusion, led millions out of poverty, and supported effective collective bargaining to increase workers' share of the wealth they create. Since 2014, a concerted campaign by right-wing parties, major media and reactionary forces has attacked these policies and achievements. 

First, Lula's successor Dilma Rousseff was removed in 2016 through a parliamentary coup led by politicians who have since been proven corrupt. Upon seizing power, these politicians imposed anti-worker, racist, and environmentally devastating policies of austerity and reduction of access to health and education as well as increased police violence. Within months of taking power, they changed labor laws to make Brazil a right-to-work country and weaken collective bargaining. 

In advance of the October 2018 elections, these same forces began a plan to persecute Lula leading to him being denied a fair trial and imprisoned on April 7 in spite of there being no evidence of corruption.    

In August, the UN Office of the High Commission on Human Rights ruled that Lula has the right to run, though the Temer government continues to ignore world-wide demands that Lula be freed.  

CONTACT:
[email protected],
Myriam Marques (215)730-1593
Natalia de Campos (917) 449-0022

SOURCE United Steelworkers (USW)