Brazilians demand Lula's release on his 74th birthday

Brasilia, Oct 28 (Prensa Latina) Popular movements, parties and social organizations took to the streets in several Brazilian cities on Sunday to celebrate the 74th birthday of former President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, protest against his political imprisonment and demand his release.

The largest rally was held in Curitiba, in the southern state of Parana, by the Free Lula Vigil, a few meters from the headquarters of the Federal Police in that city, where Lula has been held since April 2018.

Present at the event were Workers' Party (PT) President Gleisi Hoffman, Lula's brother, who is known as Frei Chico, and Federal Lawmaker Benedita da Silva.

In her speech, Hoffman referred to the ex-president and his entire life dedicated to the struggle for the workers' rights.

'Lula leaves one of the greatest legacy of his government to the Brazilian people and will leave a greatest legacy of resistance and courage when he stands here (in Curitiba) with his head very high and without exchanging his dignity for freedom,' she stressed.

'Our gift to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is this resistance,' Benedita da Silva said.