Manifestos for Democracy in Brazil Unite Ideological Opponents

[Judi Lynn]

Movement defending the Constitution and independence of Powers harken back to the 1984 Diretas Já movement

Jun.1.2020 2:41PM

Fábio Zanini
SÃO PAULO

Manifestos in favor of democracy have taken over social media and newspapers in recent days, seeking to recreate a climate of Diretas Já. This new movement was spurred on by Jair Bolsonaro's attack on Brazil's institutions.

If the comparison with the 1984 movement sounds somewhat exaggerated, there is one commonality between the two moments—authoritarianism is the common enemy.

In general, there is no explicit defense of the removal of the President.

The biggest initiative is the Movement We Are Together, launched the day before yesterday. It gathered 8,000 signatures per hour and collected more than 150,000 names this Sunday.

On Sunday (31), another manifesto from the legal community appeared. With the title of Basta! (Enough!)It gathers around 720 legal professionals.

More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2020/06/manifestos-for-democracy-in-brazil-unite-ideological-opponents.shtml?utm_source=newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsen

(Looked up the phrase "Diretas Já" in google translate, which says it means "direct now." )

[sandensea]

1. They're calling for new direct elections - but it's easier said than done.

I'm not as well-versed in Brazilian politics as O Benario is (hope he's doing alright); but I understand that impeaching the president - to say nothing of calling snap elections before their scheduled, 2022 date - is complicated.

As it should be, I guess - though unfortunately, Bolsonazi can take full advantage of the heavy lift involved in impeaching him, to just run roughshod over his country's institutions.

Reminds me of someone...

[Judi Lynn]

2. Like you, hoping Sao Paulo DU'er is intact and healthy!

O'Benario shared so many fresh photos from the pro-dictatorship demonstrations which led up to Bolsonaro's election, while they were busy getting rid of President Rousseff illegitimately, preparing the way. (Will never forget Bolsonaro was the one who stood and pledged his vote to impeach Dilma to the dictatorship's official who tortured her ruthlessly when she was their prisoner.)

I would imagine life for progressives is really grim right now in Brazil. I'm hoping we hear from O'Benario, too!

P.S. That photo is a nightmare, isn't it? Not one, but two.