On October 13, Tom Morello, the former guitarist of Rage Against the Machine, posted a video message to the Brazilian people on his Instagram account, using Instagram’s collaborative post feature to publish it simultaneously to the accounts of rock singer Pitty, the Landless Rural Workers’ Movement (MST), socialist influencer Luara Sabino and guitarist Tony Bellotto of the band Titãs.
“Brazil, the world is watching. This isn’t just an election, it is a frontline battle against fascism and oligarchy,” he said. “When you vote for Lula, you are voting for the dignity of the working class and sending a message to tyrants everywhere that the people will not be ruled by fear. Defend your rights, defend the environment, defend your future against the fascists and the exploiters and the corporate elite. Vote Lula and power to the people.”
In the last week, millions of young people have taken to the streets across Brazil to show their support for Lula and denounce election interference from Silicon Valley tech oligarchs and the U.S. government. Flávio Bolsonaro, who has promised to hand his transition team over to the direct supervision of the U.S. government if elected, won the first round election on October 4 by 1.8 percentage points. The second round election will take place on October 25.