Brazil remembers its struggle for democracy
Brazil remembers its struggle for democracy
Date 10.04.2014
Author Astrid Prange /sst
Editor Sean Sinico
Millions of Brazilians took to the streets some 30 years ago to push for free elections. These mass protests eventually led to an end of the country's military dictatorship.
Popular Brazilian song lyrics "My soul sings when I see Rio de Janeiro" left Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff teary-eyed as she remembered the country's struggle for democracy 30 years ago. In 1984, millions of Brazilians took to the streets to push for free elections. One of the country's biggest demonstrations was held on April 10 where more than a million citizens gathered in front of the Candelaria Church in Rio de Janeiro's city center to help support the national civil rights movement known as "Diretas Ja" - Direct Elections Now.
The bossa nova classic by composer Antonio Carlos Jobim has been regarded as the resistance's anthem, remembering all the exiled Brazilians who returned after a 1979 amnesty. Musicians Gilberto Gil and Caetano Veloso who helped support the democratic movement with their songs were among the returnees as well.
Exiled Brazilians played their part
"I am sure that their souls sang when they landed in Rio," Rousseff said in reference to the anthem during an official ceremony at Rio de Janeiro's airport. Rousseff, who was also part of the resistance movement, said Brazilians returning from exile gave momentum to the push for democracy.
More:
http://www.dw.de/brazil-remembers-its-struggle-for-democracy/a-17554707?maca=en-rss-en-world-4025-rdf
