By Lise Alves, Senior Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A wave of criticism swept across Brazilian social media and news outlets after Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro approved a message to commemorate Sunday, March 31st as the day, back in 1964 of the start of what he, as a former army captain, calls ‘Revolution of 64’. For many however, the day marks the start of the twenty-one-year military dictatorship in Brazil, that left thousands dead and hundreds missing.
“The coup d’état of 1964, with no possibility of doubt or historical revisionism, was a violent and undemocratic rupture of the constitutional order,” read the statement issued by the Federal Prosecutor’s Office for Citizen’s Rights (PFDC).
According to the PFDC a celebration of the overthrow of then-President João Goulart on that day ‘represents the defense of disrespect for the democratic state of law’.
Other public officials also criticized the President’s support. “A President of the Republic that orders the commemoration of the coup of 64 denies the very mandate he received: the regime that exalts the vote of the population,” said federal lawmaker Chico Alencar on his social media account.
“Whoever praises the coup of 64 applauds torture, banishment, censorship, death!” concluded Alencar.
Not only public figures, but the average Brazilian felt enraged with the President’s approval.
“I feel such a great repulsion from this ***, my grandfather was a victim of the coup of 64, he died as a result of torture, he was just a peasant. A family man was murdered by a regime and now they want to celebrate it?” wrote the man from Mato Grosso state calling himself Benedictus.
The message is expected to be read in barracks and military garrisons across the country on Sunday. On the same day, demonstrators vow to go to the streets to protest.
Spokesman for the Presidenct, Otávio Rêgo Barros. Rêgo Barros told journalists on Tuesday that the President contests the term ‘coup’ to classify the regime change in 1964.
“Thousands took to their social media to criticize the measure. I feel such a great repulsion from this ***, my grandfather was a victim of the coup of 64, he died as a result of torture, he was just a peasant. A family man was murdered by a regime and now they want to celebrate it?” wrote a man from Mato Grosso state calling himself Benedictus.