Brazil: Protests likely April 4 following Lula court ruling /update 2

Event

Demonstrations are likely across Brazil on Wednesday, April 4, following an expected decision by Brazil’s Supreme Court regarding whether or not former president - and current presidential candidate - Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Lula) should be imprisoned while exhausting his appeal options. The head of the Brazilian army called for Lula’s imprisonment on April 3, stating that his continued freedom in the face of his 2017 corruption conviction is equivalent to impunity; the statement raised fears of potential military intervention, further increasing sociopolitical tensions.

Protests are expected in cities across the country, including in the vicinity of the courthouse in the capital Brasília. Brazil’s chief justice has called for calm but violent outbreaks are possible. Large, potentially violent protests are especially likely if the court orders Lula’s arrest. Anti-Lula protests are also likely; such demonstrations were held in 50 cities on Tuesday, on the eve of the ruling, to demand Lula’s imprisonment.

Context

Lula was president from 2003 to 2011 and, as the country's first working-class ruler, was and remains a popular figure among much of the population. Despite his conviction, which technically prohibits him from running in the upcoming October 7 presidential elections, he has been nominated by the Workers’ Party (PT) as their presidential candidate. Lula and the PT have characterized the conviction as a political witch-hunt intended to keep him out of office.

Advice

Individuals in Brazil are advised to keep abreast of developments, and the sociopolitical climate more generally, and avoid all protests due to the potential for violence.