Parties Organize First Nationwide Virtual Protest Seeking Bolsonaro’s Impeachment
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Five left-of-center political parties – Rede (Sustainability Network), PV (Green Party), PSB (Brazilian Socialist Party), PDT (Democratic Labour Party) and Cidadania (Citizenship) – are organizing a virtual protest called ” Windows for Democracy: Impeachment Now”, which aims to unite popular demonstrations for the impeachment of President Jair Bolsonaro. The five parties have submitted their complaints alleging impeachable infractions by the president.
The protest will take place in internet settings and at windows throughout Brazil next Tuesday, May 19th, starting at 6:30 PM, with coverage by the organizers’ social networks. In addition to political leaders, the event will also feature artists, intellectuals, and civil society organizations.
According to the Rede party’s national spokesperson, Pedro Ivo, the initiative arose from the need to fight the illegal practices by the President, which can be classified as a crime of responsibility and liable to impeachment. “As we can’t take to the streets because we respect the World Health Organization and medical and scientific experts’ guidelines, we decided to hold this virtual protest,” he said.
On Sunday, May 17th, the President prompted a new gathering by encouraging and taking part in a rally in defense of his government, alongside Ministers of State. This was his 63rd violation of social isolation, according to UOL’s survey.
In addition to the virtual streaming, the “Windows for Democracy” event will encourage the population to demonstrate at their windows by banging on pots, whistles, and musical instruments. It will also encourage the use of green and yellow clothing, a symbol of the homeland that the organizers feel was appropriated by Bolsonaro.
“It is time to forget our differences and unite for Brazil. It is very clear how far the President has strayed from the country’s reality. That is why I am in favor of impeachment,” says actor Marcos Palmeira in a video sent to the organization.
“We need to defend democracy, life, human affinity. The impeachment is a democratic act of self-defense,” Silva says.
Broad front
According to the Rede spokesperson, the aim is to unite all parties in favor of President Bolsonaro’s impeachment on a broad front, with no distinction between left and right-wing parties. “A vote on a motion for impeachment in Congress requires a majority. So, only opposition parties are not enough,” Pedro Ivo told ‘Congresso em Foco’.
Until a few days ago, Brazil’s largest opposition party, the Workers’ Party (PT), had not yet signed a petition seeking impeachment. But last Friday, May 15th, the party’s national president, Deputy Gleisi Hoffmann, announced that the party’s executive board decided to submit a motion for impeachment and will campaign for “Bolsonaro, Out”.
Source: Congresso em Foco
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