Brazil's Workers Party to File Complaint After Caravan Violence

A complaint detailing the series of violent attacks surrounding Brazil’s former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s caravan will be presented to an international court, Workers Party (PT) president Gleisi Hoffmann said Tuesday.

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Police stood by as opposition forces from extreme right groups attacked Lula’s supporters during what was meant to be a peaceful demonstration, the PT said in an interview with Fato Brazil.

Despite warnings of past violent outbreaks carried out by extreme right movements, delivered to federal authorities ahead of the caravan, the necessary police protection failed to arrive.

As a result, not only was Lula’s safety endangered but also that of ex-president Dilma Rousseff and her delegation who were also put at risk. Investigations are underway to determine the source of the aggressive attacks, the PT said.

Hoffman explained that the threats and physical violence are simply part of the right-wing's newest tactics to overthrow Lula’s political influence and stifle contact with his supporters.

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“We are people of peace; we want people, regardless of the political party they belong to, to discuss the country they want; but we are not going to accept that they mistreat us,” said Lula.

Since the caravan began on March 19, it has been met with a nonstop aggressions from right-wing groups. Friday saw dozens of people lined up outside the Passo Fundo city entrance armed with sticks, stones, and chains, prepared to attack the buses carrying Lula and his delegation attempting to stop Lula from entering the town.

The protesters burned tires, hurled rocks, and used vehicles in an attempt to block the caravan from proceeding along its scheduled path which eventually lead to Lula and his supporters cancelling the visit to the city of Passo Fundo after local law enforcement officials failed to guarantee their safety.

The political parade’s final stretch will end Wednesday as the caravan arrives in Curitiba, the capital of Parana, on March 28.