Truck driver leaders minimize protests and defend election results

“I don’t see 100% of the category. These are people who are unhappy with the results of the elections. We are trying to understand where the movement is coming from”, said the president of the Brazilian Association of Motor Vehicle Drivers (Abrava), Wallace Landim, known as Chorão.

Regarding the images circulating in WhatsApp groups and social networks, which speak of military intervention to reverse the result of the election, Chorão was categorical: “I'm very sad that many people use the truck drivers' names. I don't fight and I will never fight against the country's democracy. My line is more about pacification, talking, dialoging and unifying the country”.

The representative said he did not believe the protests would persist: “Truck drivers have to fight for our segment, for transportation. The difference between the elected president and Bolsonaro was 1 million and a few votes. There is no way to say that the country will stop because of politics.” According to Chorão, the category handed over the sector's agenda to the presidential candidates and will continue dialogue with the new government.

Defense of democracy

Wanderlei Alves, known as Dedeco, also sees the protests as one-offs. “I believe they have the right to protest, but they have to accept democracy and not block the road, because it is disrupting everyone's lives. Just as we accepted Bolsonaro’s victory in 2018, now they have to accept Lula’s victory.”

“If it is a strike to claim some of the class’s rights, the class will have my support. If it is a political strike, to disrupt Lula's government, you will not have my support. I think authorities have to take action because they cannot restrict the right of people on the road to come and go. This is how the Bolsonaro supporters spoke when we were going to demand something against the Bolsonaro government”, highlights Alves.

Plínio Dias, director-president of the National Council for Road Cargo Transport (CNTRC), said that there is no sign of a widespread stoppage of self-employed truck drivers. “I saw some videos and they are unknown people and I don’t think they’re even truck drivers either,” he pointed out.

See also:

First day after elections that gave Lula victory begins tensely

The morning of the first day after the election that gave victory to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva began tensely. A demonstration of truck drivers took over several roads in the country and, despite having been officially informed of his opponent's victory shortly after the end of the count by the president of the TSE, Minister Alexandre de Moraes, President Jair Bolsonaro had not yet spoken out. until 10 am today (31).

Lula elected: follow post-election information in real time

This October 30, 2022, reinforcing its commitment against fake news and misinformation, the Curto News highlights the main news about the 2022 Elections – which will decide Brazil's democratic future. Follow along!

(Estadão Conteúdo)