Left-wing movements call for action against Bolsonaro on March 23

Social movements and left-wing unions decided this Tuesday (27) to promote demonstrations in the 27 capitals of Brazil, on March 23, to call for the arrest of former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL). The announcement came just two days after Bolsonaro took 750,000 people to Avenida Paulista and defended amnesty for those involved in the acts of January 8.

The protests will be organized by the Frente Povo Sem Medo (FPSM) and Frente Brasil Popular, which met with representatives of the PT, PCdoB and PSOL, as well as leaders of social movements to define the date of the event.

Although demonstrations are planned for all capitals, there will be a special focus on São Paulo and Salvador. Left-wing leaders who participated in the discussions highlighted the history of demonstrations in São Paulo and the response obtained by Bolsonaro last Sunday.

Salvador, in turn, was also chosen because it is the largest city in the Northeast and an important electoral stronghold for President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT).

During the demonstrations, a letter is scheduled to be read that defends the arrest of Bolsonaro and his allies involved in the Federal Police operation, according to Rud Rafael, general coordinator of the Homeless Workers Movement (MTST).

“Bolsonaro’s arrest needs to be made as a result of the investigations. We want it to be completed as quickly as possible. The evidence has already been established and we want there to be a trial so that there is punishment for him and for everyone who was involved in this attempted coup”, he said in an interview with Estadão shortly after the meetings of the movements.

The event was scheduled for March 23rd in memory of the 60th anniversary of the 1964 Military Coup. Although the coup took place on March 31st, the leftist fronts chose to bring the date forward by a week due to the Easter holiday.

In addition to the arrest of Bolsonaro and others being investigated by the Federal Police, the demonstration will address the conflict between Israel and the terrorist group Hamas. Organizers say the movements will express solidarity with the Palestinian people and demand an end to the conflict in the region.