President Lula’s statement marking second anniversary of anti-democratic acts of January 8, 2023

Today is the day to say loud and clear: We are still here.

We are here to say that we are alive and that democracy is alive, contrary to what the coup plotters of the January 8, 2023 acts had planned.

We are here —women and men from different backgrounds, beliefs, political parties, and ideologies— united for a common cause.

We are here to say: Dictatorship Never Again. Democracy Always.

We are here to recall that, if we are here, it is because democracy has won.

Otherwise, many of us may have been incarcerated, exiled, or killed, as it happened in the past and we will not allow it to happen again.

If today we can think differently and freely express our thoughts, ideas, and desires, it is because democracy has won.

Otherwise, the only freedom of expression allowed would be that of the dictator and their accomplices—used to lie, spread hatred, and incite violence against those who think differently.

If we are here today to renew our faith in the dialogue between opposing sides, in the harmony among the Three Branches of Government, and in the fulfillment of the Constitution, it is because democracy has won.

Otherwise, brutality would replace dialogue. All branches of government would be reduced to one, concentrated in the hands of fascists.

The Constitution would be torn apart, and human rights would be abolished.

If today we can be guided by science and vaccinate our children, it is because democracy has won.

Otherwise, diseases that have already been eradicated,  such as measles and poliomyelitis, would have returned.

And new pandemics would repeat the tragedy of COVID-19 when hundreds of thousands of people died due to the delay in purchasing vaccines and the fake news against immunizers.

If these works of art are back —carefully restored by men and women who dedicated over 1,760 hours of their lives to this process— it is because democracy has won. Otherwise, they would have been destroyed forever. And so many other priceless works of art would have had the same fate as the Di Cavalcanti painting, a victim of the hate of those who know that art and culture carry the history and the memory of a people.

The art and culture that dictatorships hate. The history and memory that they always try to erase.

We are here because we must remember. So that no one forgets. So that it never happens again.

If today we can tell stories and see stories being told freely in the movies and theaters, in music and literature, it is because democracy has won.

Otherwise, art would have been submitted to censors who forbade us to see, listen, and read anything they found subversive.

Today we are here to ensure that no one will be killed or made to disappear due to the cause they advocate for.

We are here in the name of those women and men who can no longer be here.

We are here in the name of all Marias, Clarices, and Eunices.

My friends,

Democracy for the few is not a full democracy.

For this reason, democracy will always be a work in progress.

Democracy will be full when all Brazilian citizens, women and men, without exception, have access to quality food, health, education, security, culture, and leisure.

When they have the same opportunities to grow and prosper and the same rights to dream and be happy.

Democracy will be full when all men and women are effectively equal before the law and a dark skin is no longer the target of the brutality of State agents.

When Indigenous peoples have the right to their lands, their culture, and their beliefs.

When women conquer equality of rights and the right to be wherever they want to be, without being judged, aggressed, or murdered.

When all religions are respected and can live in harmony, because faith must unite, not put brothers against brothers.

When every person has the right to love and be loved by any person, without suffering any kind of prejudice, discrimination, or violence.

It is this democracy —full and for all men and women— we want to build in Brazil.

My dear friends,

Democracy must be tended to will all the love and vigilance by each and every one of us. Always and always.
We will be relentless against any coup attempt.

Those responsible for January 8 are being investigated and punished. No one was or will be unfairly imprisoned. Everyone will pay for the crimes they committed.

Everyone – including those who planned the murder of the President and Vice President of the Republic and of the President of the Supreme Electoral Court  – will have the broad right to defense and the presumption of innocence.

We advocate and will always advocate for freedom of expression, but we will not tolerate hate speech and the fake news that jeopardize people’s lives and incitement to violence against the Rule of Law.

We will be uncompromising in the defense of democracy.

We will continuously renew our unshakable faith in dialog, in unity, in peace, and in love for others.

We will continue to work day and night to build a more developed and just Brazilian country.

Because democracy has won.

Thank you very much.