We of the Federação Anarquista do Rio de Janeiro vehemently repudiate the latest acts of political persecution promoted by the Brazilian State in Rio de Janeiro. We wish to show our solidarity with the companions of the Frente Independente Popular, the Organização Anarquista Terra e Liberdade and all the many comrades (17 warrants) who woke up to calls from the Federal Police and the Civil Police, banging on their doors. [Português]
The search and seizure warrants issued this Friday (11 October) are clearly a way of intimidating and threatening those who struggle, be they members of political organisations and social movements or not, who are being persecuted for exercising their legitimate right to go out onto the streets in order to protest and demand their collective rights. It is worth noting the persecution and "witch-hunt" to which anarchism is subjected, promoted by the PT government and its allies in Rio Grande do Sul and other States with the support of the bourgeois media, always eager for a "scapegoat" to justify the repression of the people's struggle.
It is important to note that these threats by the Brazilian State did not start now and will not stop at this time. This permanent State terrorism - which is harsher today - is an exercise for the rulers in preparation for the World Cup and the Olympics. If the violent repression by the Brazilian State of the inner city areas, slums and demonstrations by workers weren't enough, they are still using the disgraceful "Law against Criminal Organization" (which punishes protesters and militants with 8 years of prison) to try to curb future protests and decrease the popular struggle.
We show our solidarity with all the comrades who are currently suffering from the terrorist actions of the Brazilian Government. The persecution by the Workers' Party (PT), its allies and the Brazilian State to militants in Rio Grande do Sul, Belo Horizonte, São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro only shows the true face of bourgeois democracy when it is questioned.
Our response can only be solidarity. As was done with the persecuted comrades of the Black Bloc, we should continue to go out onto the streets to demand with all force the end of political persecution and increase our social demands.
The grain of sand that we can in all modesty contribute at this point is to continue doing what we always do: organizing and building strong popular, autonomous and combative movements. Mass struggle and popular organization to fight the oppressors!
No more persecution!
Down with State terrorism!
Translation by FdCA - International Relations Office.