On the day he turned himself in to the police
a huge crowd gathered outside the Metal Workers' Union building in São Bernardo do Campo - Ricardo Stuckert/Instituto Lula
Unable to contact the outside world for almost one year
forced into silence in the Federal Police headquarters in Curitiba
Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva still makes an impact on the lives of many Brazilians
the former president has never stopped inspiring feelings and opposing opinions
On one side are those who acknowledge that great part of the population benefited from his policies or felt firsthand how their living conditions improved during his two terms in office
On the opposite side are those who echo a story according to which Lula was a setback for the country
While this is a constant narrative in the ex-president’s political life
he is undeniably a huge part of the country’s history
Many are the reasons why Lula is not forgotten by the people and is always under the spotlight of the media
These are the images that usually emerge when Lula is the topic
the image of a man who lives and breathes politics often outshines Lula as a father and grandfather figure
and opinions – the basic pillars holding up every political man’s formation – make him human like everyone else
His first public appearance after he was imprisoned was at the cremation ceremony of his grandson Arthur Lula da Silva
who died at age seven with hospital-acquired infection
A federal court allowed the ex-president to attend the ceremony
As he walked out of the police car into the cremation room
supporters and journalists were able to see him for a few seconds
not hiding the pain of a grandparent who had just tragically lost a grandchild
“I have never seen my dad so sad in my whole life
that it was not the natural order of things
that he would bring the documents proving his innocence to him.”
Lula was allowed only one hour and thirty minutes to mourn with his family
Away from his grandson’s daily life,” Lurian said
Not only was the ex-president deprived of freedom while his case was still pending appeal in higher courts
this is the third time he lost a family member in three years
almost a year after judge Sérgio Moro compelled him to testify
his wife Marisa Letícia Lula da Silva died from a stroke
he was not allowed to attend the funeral of his older brother
79-year-old Genival Inácio da Silva
“He resists for those who have gone and for those who are still here,” Lurian said
She says she doesn’t know how her father manages to stay strong to fight for his freedom and to bring back a different project for society
because he is big.’ And he really is
a politician – only comes around once in one hundred years
that he tries to keep his spirits up in times of pain to be able to resist,” his eldest daughter says
Historical photos of Lula are always crowded
He has an undeniable ability to communicate with the people
After he was arrested and deprived of contacting his family and the people
he found a way to express himself about what is happening in Brazil through letters and notes
writing to keep standing up for what he believes
“He has always been on the side of the people,” says Paulo Okamotto
president of the institute named after the former president
“He knows he is beloved and appreciated by workers
And that helps him stay composed to endure hardships in life
That’s what has been keeping him strong.”
Okamotto also says that “the last few years have been a long ordeal for Lula,” whom he says “knows the Brazilian people deeply.” “Anyone who has met Lula and talked to him could see how he treats people
He does politics with a capital ‘P.’ The legacy Lula has created and still creates comes from what he does,” Okamotto argues. 
Lula’s successor in the presidential office
says the Workers’ Party leader was underestimated by the elite
who never really accepted how a retirante nordestino, a poor migrant from the dry backlands of Brazil, could have such huge political ability and receive public acclaim
“I had the opportunity and the honor to witness Lula’s leadership be recognized many times
the applauses and excited praise he received in meetings abroad
the Brazilian elite turned its disdain into a dangerous mix of hatred and fear.”
who was tortured during the Brazilian military dictatorship
says that while Lula is also enduring a kind of torture
as he is being held in solitary confinement
those violations are actually what push his resistance
and the torture actually make the will to fight and survive grow inside of us
so we can overcome and defeat our persecutors
but through the high road we’ve taken
and keeping our principles strong as we know we are on the right side of history
That’s exactly Lula’s case,” she says
he is with millions of Brazilian men and women who love him
the country will keep crumbling down.”
 All original content produced and editorially authored by Brasil de Fato may be reproduced
provided it is not altered and proper credit is given
All original content produced and editorially authored by Brasil de Fato may be reproduced
provided it is not altered and proper credit is given.