2024 -- S 3006

========

LC005927

========

     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 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

     Referred To: Recommended for Immediate Consideration

     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.

========

LC005927

========

LC005927 - Page 2 of 2