The President of the STF (Federal Supreme Court), Justice Rosa Weber, opened the judiciary year of 2023 with a speech loaded with messages for the coup-plotting leaders who vandalized the headquarters of the three Powers on January 8, whom she called "enemies of freedom", and she promised to hold everyone accountable and said that Brazilian democracy "remains unshakable".
The statement was given during her speech at the formal opening session of the activities, this Wednesday (1st). This was the first session held in court after the destruction of its main building by coup plotters supporting former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL). "Possessed with irrational, almost pathological hatred, the vandals, with total disrespect for the republic and imbued with the audacity of ignorance, destroyed public property subject to special protection, such as those listed as historical heritage, furniture, carpets and works of art", he said.
The justice also stated that the coup plotters "in deplorable fury shattered windows, mirrors and lamps, broke panels, countertops, and marble, tore up portraits and books, destroyed digital and audio and video equipment, cameras, computers, and printers, engendering a scenario of chaos to provoke a feeling of profound revulsion in the face of such indignity." "But I warn you. They have not destroyed the spirit of democracy. They have not been and will never be able to subvert it because the feeling of respect for the democratic order continues and will continue to illuminate the minds and hearts of the justices of this Supreme Court, who will not hesitate to make sure that the ethical and political foundations that inform and support the democratic rule of law always prevail," said the justice.
Translated by Cassy Dias