The parliamentary coup that forced President Dilma Rousseff out of power has resulted in mass opposition to the interim government of Michael Temer, who has known throughout Brazil as a golpista. The international community will need to pay attention, and we will need solidarity with U.S. organizations like the Committee to Defend Democracy in Brazil formed in February 2016 by artists, scholars, representatives of human rights movements, womens groups, political parties, activists of environmental movements, and sectors of health services, among many others, whose aim is to support initiatives that defend the rule of law and democracy in Brazil. Listen to President Rousseff as she spoke before a standing room only audience of labor activists in NY, as she decried the impeachment proceedings as a betrayal and an injustice and how her government was the target of nonstop sabotage. Rousseff said. "The objective was to stop her from governing and therefore allow an environment inviting the coup." Before the cheering audience President Rousseff talked about the opposing forces engulfing the media and sectors of the legislative, judiciary and executive powers, as well as a part of the Brazilian elite, who worked to destabilize the sovereignty of the people and of the Brazilian Constitution. She further insisted that only respect for the laws of the democratic State brought about by the popular vote would bring stability and prosperity to the people of Brazil, contributing to the real fight against widespread corruption and the obstruction of public policies as they are necessary to national and international growth.
Produced by Ken Nash and Mimi Rosenberg
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