The Workers' Party (popularly known as PT in Portuguese) will hold a symbolic act at Three Powers Square in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, in reference to the attempted coup and the depredation of the headquarters of the National Congress, the Supreme Court (STF, in Portuguese), and the Planalto Palace.
On its accounts on social media platforms, the PT is calling for people to gather at 11 am on January 8 for an “act in defense of democracy”. According to the call, this is a “supra-partisan” activity and will include the participation of “representatives of the Three Powers, civil society, workers and religious organizations” to mark two years since the attempted coup and the depredation of the headquarters of the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches, promoted by supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro.
Other grassroots organizations, such as the Popular Brazil Movement, the Popular Youth Uprising, the Workers' Movement for Rights (MTD, in Portuguese), and the Landless Rural Workers' Movement (MST, in Portuguese), are expected to join the act. These organizations advocate that there be no amnesty for the crimes perpetrated on January 8.
According to the PT's press office, President Lula and representatives of the other branches will descend the Planalto ramp for the symbolic embrace of Three Powers Square. However, the Presidency's Social Communication Secretariat has not confirmed this information.
Official act
While social movements and political parties will be demonstrating in the square, another event is scheduled to take place inside the Planalto Palace, where there will be an exhibition of historical objects damaged by the attackers, such as the 17th-century clock that belonged to John VI, king of Portugal.
The president of the National Congress, Rodrigo Pacheco (Social Democratic Party), has confirmed his attendance, via his adviser. The Supreme Court will be represented by its vice-president, Justice Edson Fachin. The government has also summoned its entire ministerial team, as well as the heads of the three Armed Forces, the commander of the Army, General Tomás Paiva, of the Air Force, Brigadier Marcelo Damasceno, and of the Navy, Admiral Marcos Olsen.
The January 8 attacks on the Three Powers Square led to the arrest of at least 1,430 people. According to the Supreme Court, 310 people have been convicted of involvement in the coup (229 for carrying out the acts and 81 for inciting them). The sentences range from 15 to 17 years in prison for crimes of armed criminal association, qualified damage, deterioration of listed heritage, violent abolition of the democratic rule of law and attempted coup. Another 500 people signed a non-prosecution agreement and their cases were closed, according to a survey by the Attorney General's Office.
The Federal Police have revealed that the group under investigation was organized into cells to spread misinformation during the 2022 presidential elections. Their goal was to facilitate and legitimize a military intervention, acting as a digital militia, which ultimately led to the invasion of the National Congress.
Moreover, their real intention was to invalidate the legitimate presidential election results that declared Lula the winner.
This incident occurred when around 4,000 Bolsonaro supporters marched towards the Three Powers Square, clashing with the Military Police of the Federal District on the Ministries Esplanade.
Recently, the Brazilian Federal Police disclosed the detailed coup plan of Bolsonaro's administration and allies. The far-right parties aimed to prevent Lula's inauguration ceremony, explicitly ordering that "Lula doesn't ascend the presidential inauguration ramp."
Edited by: Nicolau Soares
