Lula’s Letter After One Year in Prison: “I am a Political Prisoner Exiled in my Own Country”
With one year in jail, and in the middle of popular support worldwide, former President Lula da Silva sent a letter to “his tireless comrades in struggle”, who accompany him on this sad first anniversary of political imprisonment.
In the letter, Lula not only denounces his accusers for “never presenting a single proof against me”, but that he is also a political prisoner, exiled inside his own country, and that he is “separated from the Brazilian people, from my family members and the most beloved friends “with a ban on” giving interviews, speaking and being heard”.
The former head of state says that his only crime, for which he is imprisoned, is “to dedicate a whole life to the construction of a more just, developed and sovereign Brazil”.
Likewise, he affirms that his presidential candidacy to participate in the 2018 elections was impeded due to his popularity. Lula was the favorite candidate in all polls before the possible electoral scenario, beating his opponents by a wide margin.
“They thought that the imposition of that long silence would silence my voice forever. But they did not nor will not make me shut up, because we are millions of voices”, said the popular leader, adding “we are alive and strong. Together, we are going to reverse every setback, every step back on the hard walk to the Brazil that we dream of and that we try to be able to build. Venceremos”.
Lula also referred to the only exit he has had during these 12 months of imprisonment, when at the beginning of March he was allowed to attend the funeral of his 7-year-old grandson, Arthur. “The entirety of Brazil was surprised by the immense and unnecessary repressive apparatus mounted against me. Helicopters, military carrying heavy weapons, everything to prevent me from even approaching those people in solidarity with the pain of a grandfather. ”
Um ano de injustiça: Leia a carta de Lula aos brasileiros e brasileiras https://t.co/lIsMCiN5oP #LulaLivre #BrasilNasRuas #LulaLivreDomingoSDV pic.twitter.com/YYHGBH3FF2
— Lula (@LulaOficial) April 7, 2019
He also affirmed that his enemies “are getting richer, but the fortune obtained at the cost of the suffering of millions of Brazilians does not bring them happiness. They are more and more rabid and unhappy, poisoned by their own hatred. (…) They are afraid of the millions of Lulas, because they know what we are capable of when we come together to transform this country. ”
In the text, Lula also dedicated heartfelt words to the people who participate every day of the Lula Libre Vigil that accompanies him from the outskirts of the enclosure where he is.
The letter, published on social networks, emerges in the middle of a day of national and international mobilization, which has been developed since Friday – and will last until Wednesday 10 – in different cities of Brazil and the world, with epicenter in front of the headquarters of the Federal Police of Curitiba, where the popular leader is being held.
Read the full letter here:
My friends, tireless companions and partners in struggle.
Exactly one year ago, I was imprisoned for the crime of dedicating an entire life to the construction of a more just, developed and sovereign Brazil. They impeded my candidacy for the presidency so that I would not climb the ramp of the Planalto Palace again, pushed by the arms of each and every one of you, so that together we could reverse the dismantling of the Brazilian State promoted by my executioners.
Exactly one year ago, I was isolated in a prison cell in Curitiba. They never presented a single proof against me. I am a political prisoner, exiled inside my own country. Separated from the Brazilian people, from my relatives and from my dearest friends. With a ban on giving interviews, prevented from speaking and being heard.
They thought that the imposition of that long silence would silence my voice forever, because they have not been able -and wont be able- to silence it, because we are millions of voices
Exactly one year ago, I am surrounded by affection for the “Good day” and the “Good evening, President Lula”, intoned in full hearts not only by the brave members of that which is one of the longest vigils in the whole of history, but also for the solidarity that comes from all corners of Brazil and even other peoples of the world.
Exactly one year ago, my adversaries are looking for a reason to celebrate, and they can not find it. We have suffered repeated setbacks since the coup against President Dilma, it is true, but our defeats strengthen us for the fight, while their victories do not give them a minute of peace.
They are getting richer, but the fortune obtained at the cost of the suffering of millions of Brazilians does not bring them happiness. They are more and more rabid and unhappy, poisoned by their own hatred.
In the farewell of my grandson Arthur, Brazil was surprised by the immense and unnecessary repressive apparatus mounted against me, police cars, helicopters, military carrying heavy weapons. Everything to prevent me from even approaching those people in solidarity with the pain of a grandfather.
In that instant, I understood that their fear is not Lula. They are afraid of the millions of Lulas, because they know what we are capable of when we come together to transform this country.
We are alive and strong. Together we are going to reverse every setback, every step back on the hard walk to the Brazil that we dream off and that we proof was possible to be build. Venceremos.
Un abrazo y hasta la Victoria!
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Translated by JRE\EF
