Hundreds of thousands of Brazilians took to the streets of São Paulo on Sunday to peacefully show support for former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing an ongoing investigation into an alleged “coup” plot after his defeat in the 2022 presidential election.
A massive Sunday rally filled São Paulo’s 2.7-mile Paulista Avenue with Bolsonaro supporters, mostly wearing the green and yellow of the Brazilian flag and Brazil’s national soccer team uniforms. According to estimates by the Public Security Bureau, 750,000 The São Paulo state gendarmerie operations center said people were taking part in the rally. 1.8 million Appeared. Ahead of the event, President Bolsonaro described it as a “peaceful demonstration in defense of the democratic rule of law.”
– CNN/USA.
– Fantastico.
– A dream-like world. pic.twitter.com/fSBLvowZz4— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) February 25, 2024
– Terra Prometida, Brazil. pic.twitter.com/JGjnkMSCYp
— Jair M. Bolsonaro (@jairbolsonaro) February 26, 2024
The former Brazilian president was accompanied by his wife, former first lady Michel Bolsonaro, and allies, including Sao Paulo state governor Tarcisio de Freitas.
Mr Bolsonaro is Banned Since running for public office last year, he has been at the center of an ongoing campaign that runs through 2030. investigation known as authentic opera (“Operation Truth”). The investigation alleges that Bolsonaro and some of his aides prepared a “coup” and planned to hold fresh elections after his narrow defeat in the 2022 presidential election to radical leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. It is claimed that there is a suspicion that
Bolsonaro’s passport was confiscated as part of the investigation, effectively banning him from leaving Brazil.
The investigation is being led by Supreme Federal Tribunal (STF) minister and “anti-fake news campaigner” Alexandre de Moraes, who said he was included in the list of officials scheduled to be arrested by the “coup” conspirators. He claims that he did. Mr. de Moraes has launched multiple investigations into Mr. Bolsonaro and ordered police raids as well as Mr. Bolsonaro. Housebut at Bolsonaro’s home sons and some of his closest allies. STF ministers were also on the front lines of the wider war. censorship Bolsonaro’s efforts on his 2022 presidential campaign gave Lula’s campaign an advantage by silencing reports about Bolsonaro’s various criminal convictions.
🇷 | São Paulo has responded to Jair Bolsonaro’s statement that it has had a great impact on the history of Hara. pic.twitter.com/a1TCXD8uCR
— UHN Plus (@UHN_Plus) February 25, 2024
In his approximately 20-minute speech to the crowd, Bolsonaro said: Had made He called for peace and said he would defend himself against “all accusations” against him, including those of an alleged conspiracy.
During his speech, Bolsonaro did not directly mention De Moraes, Brazil’s federal police or government authorities, instead citing what he called “abuse by some” events that occurred in 2018 while he was in office. He grieved and claimed to be a victim of persecution. stung During an election rally.
“I have been beaten since before the 2018 election, and I have been persecuted for four years, and the persecution intensified after I left office,” Bolsonaro said.
“‘Bolsonaro wanted to carry out a coup.’ That’s what I’ve been hearing ever since I took office in 2019, and so have some in the press,” he continued. “The coup is like a tank on the street, and none of this is being carried out. I have a lot to say, and some of you know what I mean, but what I want to do is What we want is peace and erasing the past. Thank you very much, everyone in Brazil.”
As part of Bolsonaro’s call for peace, Had made They are calling for amnesty for those imprisoned for their participation in the January 8, 2023 riots.That day, thousands of pro-Bolsonaro Brazilians A storm has come The grounds of the Brazilian Congress, the Supreme Federal Court (STF) and the Planalto Presidential Palace. Protesters caused significant damage to facilities, furniture, and valuable historical artifacts stored there, but no deaths were reported during the riot.
“The Brazilian Congress grants amnesty to the imprisoned poor people in Brasilia. We no longer want their children to be orphans of living parents,” Bolsonaro insisted. “Reconciliation. In the past we granted amnesty to those who committed atrocities in Brazil. We are now submitting an amnesty bill to all 513 members of Congress and 81 senators to ensure that justice is done in Brazil.” I am looking for.”
Bolsonaro and many rally participants peacefully expressed solidarity with Israel by waving Israeli flags during Sunday’s rally, following recent anti-Semitic rants by President Lula. comment Issues surrounding Israel’s continued self-defense operations against the terrorist organization Hamas.
Throughout February, Lula repeatedly criticized Israel’s actions against Hamas, comparing it to Nazi Germany and Adolf Hitler during the Holocaust. Lula’s comments drew heavy criticism from the Israeli government. declared lula persona non gratabanned from visiting Israel.
This is President Bolsonaro’s moment to defend Israel. pic.twitter.com/ctgI7jbzGS
— MSP-Movimento Sem Picanha (@mspbra) February 25, 2024
🇷🏻🇱@jairbolsonaro @Mi_Bolsonaro pic.twitter.com/WZ0NkfSSMv
— Desiree Rugani (@desireerugani) February 25, 2024
Brazil’s Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira said Lula had no intention of apologizing for his anti-Semitic comments, which Lula did. continuation Accuses Israel of committing “genocide” in Gaza.
Bolsonaro concluded his speech by rallying his supporters to take part in the upcoming local elections in October 2024. [they] Please vote especially for your representatives. ”
The former Brazilian president also criticized the exclusion of “opponents” from election events. “We cannot consent to the power to exclude anyone from the political arena. We cannot think about elections by excluding the opposition.”
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan writer who chronicles life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter here.
