Lula Followers Celebrate Xmas, 'Hope, Resistance' at His Prison

Brazilian former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva’s supporters gathered in front of the jail where he is imprisoned to celebrate Christmas in solidarity with him.

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Members of the Lula Livre (Free Lula) movement called on Lula’s followers to attend a vigil outside the Curitiba Federal Police station in the state of Parana where he has been held as a political prisoner since April.

Hundreds of followers gathered at the doors of the headquarters of the Federal Police of Curitiba in the southern state of Parana on Christmas Eve. A dinner and outdoor concert were held in celebration.

There was also a religious ceremony followed by a Christmas dinner to "break the siege" that "prevents" Lula from "being by his family's side on this date.” The former leader is prevented from visitations during Christmas.

According to the organization “Lula Livre,” about 300 followers participated in Christmas supper in honor of Lula.

"What a joy to see you here, celebrating hope for the future, struggle, organization, and resistance. Let's fight until we see Lula free," said Federal Deputy Pedro Uczai of the Workers’ Party (PT).

"The party is beautiful, with very good energy. It is good to see activism keep the flame of hope, which is what Lula represents. Lula deserves our sacrifice because he always made sacrifices for us and continues to do so,” said Luiz Marinho another PT worker.

On Monday, the PT uploaded a video of Lula wishing his followers a happy Christmas and New Years. The video is a compilation of images and statements of him when he was free.

"I believe in Brazil, I believe in the Brazilian people and I think it is possible to make this country again the country of optimism (...) Merry Christmas and Happy New Year," said the former president in the video.

Lula da Silva, who was arrested after being convicted in the Lava Jato corruption case by a Federal Regional Court, is internationally recognized as a political prisoner. His imprisonment led to his inability to run for president in the October 2018 general elections and paved the way for the victory of far-right Jair Bolsonaro who has announced an aggressive neoliberal economic program and the use of aggressive force against social movements.