On April 7, 2018, former president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva was jailed on charges of corruption. But his supporters said he was innocent — convicted on trumped-up charges by a biased judge hell-bent on power, and taking down the Workers Party. They launched an around the clock vigil that would last for 580 days. Finally, Brazil’s Supreme Court tossed out the conviction. Lula was free. Less than three years later, he once again won the presidency. 

This is episode 16 of Stories of Resistance — a podcast co-produced by The Real News and Global Exchange. Independent investigative journalism, supported by Global Exchange's Human Rights in Action program. Each week, we’ll bring you stories of resistance like this. Inspiration for dark times.

This week, in remembrance of the anniversary of Brazil’s military coup on March 31, 1964, we are taking a deep dive in Brazil. All three episodes this week look at stories of resistance in Brazil. From protest music, to general strikes against the dictatorship, to the Free Lula vigil in more recent times.

Written and produced by Michael Fox.

If you like what you hear, please subscribe, like, share, comment, or leave a review. You can also follow Michael’s reporting, and support at www.patreon.com/mfox. There, you can also see Michael’s exclusive pictures of the Free Lula Vigil. 

You can check out more of Michael's in-depth reporting of the Free Lula vigil in the following reports for The Real News and his 2022 podcast Brazil on Fire:

• Free Lula Samba at Brazil’s Carnival
• Brazil’s Ex-President Lula Freed, Promises to Continue Fight for Justice
• Brazil on Fire podcast
• Episode 2 (Brazil on Fire podcast): Free Lula

Subscribe to Stories of Resistance podcast here

Become a member and join the Stories of Resistance Supporters Club today!

Sign up for our newsletter
Follow us on Bluesky

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter
Donate to support this podcast

Become a member and join the Stories of Resistance Supporters Club today!

Follow Stories of Resistance on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Sign up for our newsletter

Follow us on:
Bluesky: @therealnews.com
Facebook: The Real News Network
Twitter: @TheRealNews
YouTube: @therealnews
Instagram: @therealnewsnetwork