| R 218 |
| 2024 -- S 3006 Enacted 04/23/2024 |
| S E N A T E R E S O L U T I O N |
| CELEBRATING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE PORTUGUESE CARNATION REVOLUTION WHICH TRANSFORMED PORTUGAL INTO A DEMOCRATIC NATION |
Introduced By: Senators de la Cruz, Bissaillon, Felag, Zurier, Picard, Euer, Britto, Rogers, Lauria, and DeLuca |
| Date Introduced: April 23, 2024 |
| WHEREAS, In May of 1926, a coup resulted in the implementation of authoritarian rule |
| in Portugal for almost a half-century. In 1933, the regime was named the Estado Novo, (New |
| State) and was led until 1968 by authoritarian leader Antonio de Oliveira Salazar; and |
| WHEREAS, Through the half-century of authoritarian rule, the regime used the PIDE, |
| Political Police, to persecute opponents of the regime, many of whom were tortured, imprisoned |
| and killed. The ruling regime also ran phony elections in which they were usually the only |
| candidates on the ballot; and |
| WHEREAS, At the same time, Portugal's citizens were being oppressed at home, the |
| regime was cruelly in control of its imperialist possessions in Africa and Asia; and |
| WHEREAS, On April 25, 1974, liberal military officers in Lisbon overthrew the regime, |
| which led to the implementation of significant social, economic, and political changes in Portugal |
| and its overseas colonies. In short time, Portugal became a true democracy with free and fair |
| elections, and freedoms of speech and the press, and its overseas colonies were granted |
| independence; and |
| WHEREAS, The "Carnation Revolution" got its name in recognition of the fact that |
| almost no violence took place during the revolution, and in honor of restaurant worker Celeste |
| Caeiro, who offered carnations to the soldiers when the people took to the streets to celebrate the |
| ending of the dictatorship. Today, the Nation of Portugal celebrates April 25th of each year as a |
| national holiday to commemorate this historic event. It is called Dia da Liberdade, which means |
| Freedom Day; now, therefore be it |
| RESOLVED, That this Senate of the State of Rhode Island hereby celebrates the 50th |
| Anniversary of the Carnation Revolution in Portugal on April 25th, 2024, which ended |
| authoritarian rule and brought democracy to Portugal; and be it further |
| RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to |
| transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Prime Minister of Portugal, Luis |
| Montenegro. |
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| LC005927 |
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