February 13, 1964
Isabella Souza
Brazil had just heard, on national television, the address by the Chief Minister of the Civil Cabinet, Darcy Ribeiro, defending the Basic Reforms as a way to prevent a revolution. At the same time, a rally at Central do Brasil was scheduled for March 13, so that President João Goulart could announce the start of the Reforms.
The location was strategic: a traditional stage for political events, in the heart of Rio de Janeiro and with the infrastructure to accommodate the thousands of reformists expected by the government.
Upon hearing the news about the event being held, Gustavo Borges, Guanabara's Secretary of Public Security, vetoed its realization. The political context was seething at the time, and Borges, who had been appointed to the position by UDN governor Carlos Lacerda, made the decision to shut down any political demonstration in the city center.
Central do Brasil became the epicenter of an ideological clash. The ban on the rally sparked intense debates, and supporters of the measure argued for the need to maintain order and avoid unrest. They also claimed that this type of event served agitators and candidates, and that Jango was neither of those things. However, critics accused Borges of curtailing freedom of expression and questioned the legitimacy of the action. The ban was received by the government's top ranks as an affront to democracy.
The secretary cited concerns about public security. The unstable political climate at that moment seemed, to him, to call for extreme precautions. However, the ban on the rally was interpreted by many as an act of censorship and ended up having no effect. A month later, thousands gathered at Central to hear the President.
Image description: The image is a black-and-white newspaper. At the top, there is a large, prominent headline. Below it, there is a caption mentioning "Brasília (Bureau)." Following that, there is a main text with several lines of text. To the right, there is a second, smaller text, also prominently displayed. The background is white and the text is written in black.Notícia no Jornal do Brasil sobre a decisão de Gustavo Borges.
Rio de Janeiro, 27.02.1964. Hemeroteca Digital/ Fundação da Biblioteca Nacional.