'January 8th was reached because we tolerated the intolerable,' says STM president
Translated from Portuguese, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- The president of the Superior Military Court (STM), Maria Elizabeth Rocha, stated that the events of January 8th occurred because intolerable actions were allowed.
- Rocha, the first woman to lead the STM, believes that tolerance for certain behaviors led to the January 8th incidents.
- She is the first woman to hold the presidency of Brazil's oldest court.
Maria Elizabeth Rocha, the first woman to preside over Brazil's oldest court, the Superior Military Court (STM), has attributed the January 8th incidents to a failure to address intolerable actions. Her remarks suggest a critique of past leniency towards behaviors that ultimately escalated into significant political unrest.
Rocha, who also made history as the first woman to serve on the STM, expressed her view that society reached a breaking point due to the toleration of what should have been deemed unacceptable. This perspective implies a call for stricter enforcement of norms and a more decisive stance against actions that undermine democratic stability.
Her position as the first woman to lead the STM, a significant milestone in itself, lends weight to her observations on the nation's political climate. The court she leads is the oldest in Brazil, adding historical context to her reflections on current events and the lessons learned from past societal challenges.
Originally published by Folha de S.Paulo in Portuguese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.