Departures of note

Luiz Paulo Costa was a Brazilian journalist and politician from São José dos Campos, where he built a long career in local media and public service. He began his professional career in 1965 at Rádio Piratininga and later worked as a writer for the newspaper ValeParaibano and Rádio Clube, as well as serving as the local correspondent for the newspaper O Estado de São Paulo.

In 1976 he was elected vereador (city councilor) of São José dos Campos, a position he held for 20 years. During the military dictatorship he was arrested at age 21 and detained for more than 140 days in various locations, including the Santos Air Base, the prison ship Raul Soares, DEOPS and DOI-CODI in São Paulo, where he said he suffered physical and psychological torture that left lasting injuries.

Luiz Paulo was the author of six books, dedicating part of his literary output to the history and culture of São José dos Campos. His memoir 'A Cadeira do Dragão – Memórias da Ditadura Militar', presented at the Municipal Chamber four years before his death, recounted the torture he endured and took its title from one of the instruments used against him.