Truck drivers: STF confirms Moraes' decision to clear highways under severe penalties

“That the Federal Highway Police and the respective state military police – within the scope of their duties – be immediately taken, all necessary and sufficient measures, at the discretion of the responsible authorities of the federal executive power and the state executive powers, for the immediate unblocking of of all public roads that, illegally, have their traffic interrupted”, wrote Moraes.

The case is analyzed in the Court's virtual plenary session. Until the early hours of this morning, ministers Luís Roberto Barroso, Edson Fachin, Gilmar Mendes and ministers Cármen Lúcia and Rosa Weber had already voted in favor of Moraes' decision.

“The factual picture clearly reveals a scenario in which illicit and criminal abuse and distortion in the exercise of the constitutional right to assembly has had a disproportionate and intolerable effect on the rest of society, which depends on the full functioning of the product distribution chains and services for maintaining the most essential and basic aspects of social life”, stated Moraes in the vote.

PRF

In his decision, Moraes ordered the identification of the trucks involved in the blockades, to impose a fine of R$ 100 thousand per hour in case of non-compliance, starting at midnight this Tuesday. The penalty also applies to the general director of the PRF, Silvinei Vasques, who could be arrested in the act and removed for disobedience if the order is not followed.

The Federal Highway Police (PRF) announced on Monday night that it began an operation to free highways blocked by protesters.

“Our protocol is dialogue. Following this, we inform the decision and the fine of R$ 100 thousand per hour, both for individuals and CNPJ. If the deliberations are not respected, we will apply the use of force, yes”, said the PRF’s general communications coordinator, Cristiano Vasconcellos.

Truck driver leaders minimize protests and defend election results

At least three truck driver leaders said that the protests on the country's highways bring together some drivers who support President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and are unhappy with the election results, but do not reflect the demands of the majority of the category. The protests include protesters who are not truck drivers, according to leaders.

Videos that circulated on social media this Monday showed federal highway police officers showing solidarity with truck drivers who blocked roads. “We are together with you”, says an agent to the truck drivers in one of the videos. The movement that contests the elections and advocates military intervention gained strength yesterday and the articulation took place in Telegram groups.

 At 4:30 am this Tuesday, the PRF announced that 174 demonstrations had been broken up since the beginning of the blockades.

(With Estadão Content/Updating)