Victims of the Brazilian dictatorship and human rights activists marched this Sunday. to Sao Paulo to remember 60 years of military coupamid criticism of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva for his decision not to take official action.

“Never again dictatorship!” and “Punishment for the generals!” – chanted dozens of people gathered in front of the building of DPI-Kodi, the largest torture center for opponents of the military regime (1964-1985).

The protesters asked the government, among other things, establishing memory policy and the restoration of the Special Commission for the Political Dead and Missing – something Lula promised but has yet to deliver.

Amelina Teles, a 79-year-old former communist activist who was tortured for weeks at DOI-Codi, said the 1964 coup that overthrew the government of João Goulart must be remembered because “Democracy is not done with forgetfulness”.

“Brazil has no public memory policy”he assured EFE A body carrying a banner with a photograph of a woman killed during the dictatorship.

Activist fights for DOI-Codi to become memorial to resistance to military rulebecause at the moment there is not even a plaque mentioning the dark past of this place.

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Many of those present at the march said disappointed by Lula’s refusal to mark this dateat a time when relations with the army are strained due to Police investigation into alleged coup d’état keep former President Jair Bolsonaro in power.

While some government ministers have been commemorating the anniversary on social media, the president has chosen to keep a low profile and has until now limited himself to greetings on Easter Sunday.

“This is mistake. Even today there is a threat of a coup d’etat“he declared, EFE Liège Rocha, 79, was arrested three times during the dictatorship for her political militancy.

Brazilian police are investigating Bolsonaro’s participationtwo former defense ministers during his reign and other members of the military leadership in attempt to overturn election results which brought victory to Lula in 2022.

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Ghost of a coup This is what prompted Daniel da Silva, a 19-year-old administration student, to take part in the march, despite the fact that the 1964 coup was far from over.

“There is a lack of awareness; Brazilians have a very short memory.”

EFE