March in support of Brazil’s former president begins

BRASILIA, Brazil – Supporters of Brazil’s jailed former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva have gathered in three rural areas near the nation’s capital to begin their “Free Lula March” to Brasilia.

Organized by the Landless Workers Movement, at least 2,000 people are expected to complete the 60-kilometre (100 kilometre) march on Aug. 15 when parties must register their candidates to the Oct. 7 presidential election.

Last week the Workers’ Party named da Silva its nominee for the country’s top job.

Da Silva, who was jailed in April on a corruption conviction, leads polls for the office by a large margin. Surveys suggest that voters would lend their support to another Workers’ party candidate if he is barred from running.