Both the boycott campaign and the demonstration were sparked by the newspaper's latest alleged attempt at character assassination against Brazilian president Lula da Silva, this time by publishing an article by César Benjamin, an ex-ally and current Folha columnist, claiming that Lula admitted in 1994 he had attempted to sexually subdue a fellow inmate when jailed for political crime in the 80's. With the denial of the other people present at the said conversation and even those jailed with Lula during the dictatorship, including the said assaulted inmate, the author of the article apologised for any offense and the newspaper was forced to publish new stories denying the allegations a few days later.
Kampeni ya ususiaji na maandamano hayo yalichochewa na jarida la habari la hivi karibuni zaidi lililodaiwa kuwa jaribio la kumwua rais wa Brazil Lula da Silva, wakati huu kwa kuchapisha makala ya César Benjamin, la zamani na la sasa la mwandishi wa magazeti Folha, akidai kwamba Lula alikubali katika 1994 alikuwa amejaribu kumdhibiti mfungwa mwenzake wakati alipofungwa jela kwa kosa la kisiasa katika miaka ya 80. Pamoja na kukana kwa watu wengine waliokuwapo katika mazungumzo na hata wale waliofungwa jela pamoja na Lula wakati wa utawala wa kimabavu, ikiwa ni pamoja na shambulio katika makala hiyo, ikiwa ni pamoja na kosa la mwandishi wa habari kwa kosa lolote lililolazimishwa kuchapisha habari hizo siku chache baadaye.