By Patrick Foley, Brazil Solidarity Initiative
On January 8th, a mob of far-right protesters stormed the Brazilian capital attacking Brazil’s Congress, Supreme Court, and Presidential Palace. Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who still refuse to accept the election result, laid waste to the offices, artwork and the buildings themselves while carrying banners and placards calling on the military to carry out a coup.
Brazil’s history has many examples of military coups and coup-attempts, with Latin America’s most populous country only returning to democracy in 1985, twenty-one years after the military coup against President João Goulart.
This context is an important factor when assessing the January 8th attack – this was an assault on democracy itself, and these acts of violence, intimidation and vandalism were aimed at undermining President Lula da Silva’s newly elected Government.
Continue reading “The far-right attack on Brazil’s democratic institutions was a warning sign – international solidarity with Lula is crucial”