Stand with Lula and the people of Brazil – Jess Barnard, Young Labour

A presidential election takes place in Brazil this autumn which can give socialists around the world much hope, writes chair of Young Labour Jess Barnard.

Earlier this month, I was honoured to speak at the London launch of the international committee for Lula’s bid to return to the presidency of Brazil.

It was great to see Brazilians here in London ready to organise for change for workers across Brazil, who opinion polls show are ready to reject President Bolsonaro and elect Lula as a president committed to opposing savage austerity and the far-right’s politics of hate.

Labour Movement shows solidarity with Brazil’s Lula at international campaign launch

By Patrick Foley, Brazil Solidarity Initiative

In cities in Brazil and across the globe, campaign launch events were held to celebrate former Brazilian President Lula da Silva, the candidate set to beat far-right president Bolsonaro in the October elections.

In London, PT Londres (the Brazilian Workers’ Party in London) hosted Brazilian campaigners, solidarity activists and representatives from across the Labour movement in a joyous show of support for Lula’s candidacy. The meeting heard contributions from Jeremy Corbyn, Christine Blower, Andy McDonald MP, Jess Barnard, academics, trade union leaders and PT activists mobilising ahead of the elections.

Indigenous Protest – Stand with Brazil’s Indigenous Peoples

By Ali Rocha, Brazil Matters

Join activists and volunteers from Brazil Matters, CAFOD, Greenpeace, Survival International, Amazon Rebellion, London Mining Network, and the Brazil Solidarity Initiative to protest in support of indigenous communities in Brazil.

The continued struggle of women in Brazil – Bia Lacerda Ratton, Brazilian Workers Party London Youth Activist

By Bia Lacerda Ratton, Brazilian Workers’ Party (PT) London Youth Activist

This week saw International Women’s Day recognised across the globe. It’s important to re-emphasise the role and contribution of women to the creation of a new world order with peace, global justice and socialism at the centre.

Global estimates published by the WHO show that approximately one in three women worldwide have suffered physical and/or sexual violence by a partner or third parties during their lifetime

Recovering the economy and promoting social justice to rebuild Brazil – Brazilian Workers’ Party

Leaders of the Workers Party (PT) and social movements gathered in seminars of the PT caucus in the House and Senate say that the main task is to recover the economy and promote social justice.

By the Brazilian Workers’ Party (PT)

Leaders of entities linked to the PT (Lula Institute and Perseu Abramo Foundation) and to the social and trade union movement (MST, CUT and IndustriALL-Brazil) said on Tuesday (1^st Feb) that a future Lula government will have the main task of pulling Brazil out of the current economic crisis and lessening the social setbacks after the 2016 coup.

Brazil’s progressive movements unite against Bolsonaro and the far-right – The Landless Movement of Brazil (MST)

The Landless Movement of Brazil (MST), one of Latin America’s largest social movements, brings us in depth analysis of progressive groups uniting around former President Lula da Silva to defeat Bolsonaro and the far-right in the October 2022 presidential elections, and the political context of the biggest battle-ground against the far-right globally.

By the Movimento dos Trabalhadores Sem Terra (MST)

The end of the year 2021 was marked by record inflation, by the tragedy of the rains, especially in Bahia, Minas Gerais and now in São Paulo, and by the spread of diseases, the influenza variant (H3N2) and the omicron strain of COVID-19. Fear and insecurity with rains, diseases and social crisis started a decisive year in the political struggle, with the presidential elections.

Lula seeks to bring Left back to power in Brazil as Bolsonaro’s presidency crumbles

By Tim Young, Brazil Solidarity Initiative.

As Brazil’s far-right President Jair Bolsonaro’s domestic and international status continues to decline sharply, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is stepping up his campaign to win the presidential election that will take place in October this year.

A Crucial Election Year in Brazil – Lula Return vs Bolsonaro’s Anti-Democratic Attacks

By Patrick Foley

Presidential elections take place in Brazil next year and they pose one of the biggest political struggles in a generation.

The country is faced with a choice between the continuation of far-right rule and pandemic mis-management under Bolsonaro; or the return of the most popular-ever President, Lula da Silva.

This is only if Bolsonaro is stopped from dismantling democracy before elections take place next October. The President’s popularity has drastically plummeted, with Brazil’s tragic pandemic death toll rising to over 600,000. In response, he has threatened democratic institutions, claimed that the elections will be fraudulent and said that “only god” can remove him from office.

Brazil’s 2022 election: Lula’s return Vs Bolsonaro’s anti-democratic agenda – EVENT DECEMBER 9th

Brazil’s 2022 election: Lula’s return Vs Bolsonaro’s anti-democratic agenda

With elections under a year away, Bolsonaro has been ramping up threats against democracy and the electoral system. The far-right President has openly said that he will claim fraud if he loses, and that “only god” can remove him from power.

We must show the far-right in Brazil that the world is watching, and support the huge movements of resistance against Bolsonaro. If elections were held today, former President Lula da Silva would win in the first round.

Online – Thursday, December 9th at 6PM. Register here.

Show your international solidarity and support with:

Richard Burgon MP – Brazil Solidarity Initiative Chair

Nathalia Urban – Journalist, Brasil Wire

Alex Main – Economist and electoral analyst, Centre for Economic and Policy Research (US)

PLUS MORE TBA

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This election is crucial for the social, indigenous, environmental, quilombo, trade union, LGBT+, women’s, black and other groups fighting back against Bolsonaro’s reactionary and hate-filled agenda.

Please show your solidarity and support. This event is hosted by the Brazil Solidarity Initiative.

System change is possible: we need to challenge Bolsonaro and his corporate backers – Juliana Moraes, Washington Brazil Office

“Private agricultural conglomerates like Cargil, a US based company, and investment giants like Blackstone are the forefront of the deforestation in the Amazon and other parts of Brazil.”

Juliana Moraes, executive director of the Washington Brazil Office, details the destructive agenda being implemented by far-right President Bolsonaro and his corporate backers. This call for international action, vigilance and solidarity was made during the Arise Festival event: “System Change, Not Climate Change.” Read her contribution in full: