Brazilian Social Movements March to Defend Democracy

Brazil’s largest trade union and various social movements have announced a march in defense of democracy, amid a campaign by right-wing political opponents to impeach the democratically elected president, Dilma Rousseff.

"We will not allow our senior leadership to be attacked or threatened by sectors or people who don’t respect democracy and never cared about the workers,” the Brazilian Metalworkers Union stated in a press release.   

The action will take place Sunday, the same day that right-wing anti-government protests will demand President Rousseff's resignation or impeachment.

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Meanwhile, legal experts from across the country signed a declaration Wednesday rejecting efforts to remove President Rousseff from office.

The signed document denounced impeachment efforts by Brazilian lawmakers and called on Brazilian political officials to respect democratic principles.

Twelve impeachment requests are currently lodged with the lower chamber. However, at least two-thirds of the 513 deputies in the federal lower chamber would need to support the motion for it to go forward.

Rousseff’s aides are working to generate a loyal base of at least 200 congressional deputies who will block any attempt at impeachment.

“I have never even thought about resigning,” President Rousseff told Brazilian media outlet SBT Brasil on Wednesday.

“Just because someone doesn't agree with a political process or certain policies doesn’t mean they can remove an elected official, which in my case, was legitimately elected by popular vote,” President Rousseff added.