Brasilia, July 18 (RHC)-- National protests are taking place throughout Brazil to mark 100 days since former Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has been imprisoned at the federal police headquarters in Curitiba, Parana. 

“Over the past 100 days Lula has been a political prisoner,” the Workers' Party (PT) noted in an official press release.  “This situation is being denounced by artists, intellectuals, lawyers and leaders from around the world.” 

The progressive political party, which was co-founded by Lula, launched a web page containing statements by people camped near the federal police station as part of the ongoing Free Lula Vigil, which has been operating since April 8, one day after Lula was detained. 

Demonstrators are linking their demand to free Lula and allow him to run as a presidential candidate in the October general elections to centenary birthday celebrations taking place on Wednesday for former political prisoner and South African president Nelson Mandela. 

Despite his conviction and imprisonment for corruption, events that many legal experts and observers attribute to lawfare and a salacious mainstream media campaign, Lula has topped every 2018 electoral poll conducted by Vox Populi, Ibope, Datafolha, Data Poder 360, Instituto Parana, the National Confederation of Transportation/MDA and Ipsos. 

Lula's two terms in office were marked by a slew of social programs, lifting millions of Brazilians out of poverty and removing the country from the United Nations World Hunger Map.  He left office with a record approval rating of 83 percent in 2011, according to Datafolha.