Bolsonaro supporter murders Workers' Party leader
The far-right under Bolsonaro is actively threatening the lives of Brazilian opposition leaders.
While celebrating his 50th birthday, Marcelo Arruda was shot by a federal prison guard shouting slogans in favor of the current far-right president and candidate, Jair Bolsonaro. Arrudo is a leading member of the Brazilian Workers' Party.
The murder, which was carried out by federal penitentiary agent Jorge Jose da Rocha Guaranho, happened in Foz do Iguacu, a southern city in the western region of Parana. Guaranho first went to the venue - after 20 minutes, he returned armed and began shooting the PT leader, whose party was decorated with themes pertaining to his party and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, the leftist ex-president and the current presidential runner-up.
The party issued a statement which it shared on social media, saying, "Enough of the violence! Enough of the destruction! It is time for the reconstruction and transformation of Brazil and the relations between Brazilians and Brazilians! Let's cry and bury another comrade who fell victim to political violence, that's enough!"
Hoje era para dar parabéns ao Marcelo, mas estamos aqui lamentando sua morte. Vou lhe dar o último adeus companheiro, com a certeza de q sua luta esta entre nós. Estará sempre presente na nossa caminhada e em nossos corações. Solidariedade aos familiares e amigos pic.twitter.com/XRdRU8SZ4h
— Gleisi Hoffmann (@gleisi) July 10, 2022
Arruda was a guard for Foz do Iguacu's municipality, a local treasurer for the party, and has been a candidate for deputy mayor in the 2020 municipal elections. He was killed with two bullets shot at point-blank range. Before falling, he shot Guaranho with three bullets, who was rushed to the hospital.
Watch: Bolsonaro Accused of "Crimes Against Humanity"
Last Thursday in Rio de Janeiro, a man was arrested for throwing a handmade grenade at a crowd waiting at a campaign rally for Lula, who was wearing a bulletproof vest.
Lula da Silva issued a message saying: "Our companion Marcelo Arruda celebrated his 50th birthday with family and friends, in peace, in Foz do Iguaçu. Affiliated with the Workers' Party, his party had the PT and hope for the future as its theme; with the joy of a father who has just had another daughter."
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