This motion was passed unanimously by Thurrock CLP. Please let us know if you pass it through your ward or CLP.
[Name] CLP notes:
1) The victory of the neo-fascist Jair Bolsonaro the Brazilian presidential election. He poses a deadly threat to Brazilian workers, peasants, black and indigenous people, women and LGBT + people. His campaign speeches were littered with vile racist, misogynist and homophobic demagogy. His fascistic supporters have killed several of his opponents, black people and activists from the LGBT+ movement.
2) Bolsanaro explicitly defends dictatorship and torture. He has repeatedly threatened the destruction of the workers, landless and indigenous people’s movements. During the election campaign he threatened the Workers Party’s (PT) leaders and activists: “Either they go overseas, or they go to jail. ….These red outlaws will be banished from our homeland.” He has also branded social movements such as the Landless Workers’ Movement (MST) and Homeless Workers’ Movement (MTST) as “terrorist”.
3) Bolsanaro was elected on the basis of an institutional coup which brought down Dilma Rousseff (former PT President) in 2016 and imprisoned Lula, preventing him from running in the election. Lula’s first five years as president saw 20 million people lifted out of poverty. Deep austerity measures introduced since the coup have led to a sharp increase in poverty and rampant inequality.
4) Bolsanaro aligns himself to the far-right reaction that is sweeping the world. This is exemplified by the coalescing of racist and fascists groups around the ‘Free Tommy Robinson Campaign’, the recent far-right pogroms in Chemnitz and the sexist, chauvinist and anti-semitic policies of Hungary’s Viktor Orban and Italy’s Mateo Salvini.
[Name] CLP believes:
1) International solidarity will be key to providing practical and political support for the Brazilian people. It can prevent Bolsonaro’s example spreading throughout the region and around the world.
[Name] CLP resolves:
1) To stand shoulder-to-shoulder in solidarity with the millions of Brazilians fighting for democracy, human rights and social progress in Brazil. We call for the release of Lula and other imprisoned PT leaders.
2) To support national and international campaigns, such as Brazilian Women Against Fascism and the Brazil Solidarity Initiative, against Bolsonaro’s authoritarianism and neo-liberal attacks.
3) To mobilise local members for the National Unity Demonstration Against Racism and Fascism on 17th November, which is supported by Shadow Home Secretary Diane Abbott, Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell and a number of key figures from Labour, the trade unions and faith communities.
