Pro-democracy events mark one year since Jan. 8 pro-coup acts
A series of events will mark, this Monday (Jan. 8), one year since the invasion and vandalism of the Planalto presidential palace, the National Congress, and the Federal Supreme Court by vandals and pro-coup plotters dissatisfied with the election of the then-sworn-in president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. 
The most significant event will take place at the National Congress in Brasília, gathering President Lula; the heads of the Senate, Rodrigo Pacheco; the Chamber of Deputies, Arthur Lira; and the Federal Supreme Court, Luis Roberto Barroso, as well as governors, ministers, senators, federal representatives, and representatives of civil society and the judiciary.
Initiated by President Lula, the event, titled "Democracia Inabalada" (Unshakable Democracy), aims to reaffirm the significance of the democratic system. Acting Minister of Justice and Public Security Ricardo Cappelli remarked, "It's a moment to celebrate democracy's resilience after the unacceptable events of January 8, 2023. "
The ceremony at the National Congress is expected to host approximately 500 guests and will feature the symbolic reinstatement of a Burle Marx tapestry created in 1973, which was vandalized during the 2023 invasion, and a replica of the 1988 Federal Constitution, which was stolen but later recovered undamaged from the Supreme Court's headquarters.
Protests
In addition to the official commemoration, various organizations, social movements, and political parties will hold protests in cities nationwide. Trade union centers, including the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT), have called on their members to participate in activities across the country to "mark one year since the attempted coup orchestrated by allies of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who was defeated in the 2022 elections."
In Brasília, the first demonstrations took place on Sunday (7), organized by left-wing parties and social organizations, including CUT-DF, under the banner of "Act in Defense of Democracy."
* Based on information from Agência Senado and Portal CUT
