Thousands of people marched in several Brazilian cities on Sunday in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The demonstrations came just days before the Supreme Court decides whether Bolsonaro attempted to stay in power illegally after his 2022 defeat to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 43 years in prison. The case has also drawn criticism from former US President Donald Trump, a close ally of Bolsonaro.
Bolsonaro Absent but His Presence Felt
Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest since August, did not attend the protests. His supporters, however, gathered in massive numbers on Brazil’s Independence Day. Demonstrations stretched from Brasilia to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo.
In Sao Paulo, crowds filled Avenida Paulista, wearing the green and yellow colors of the Brazilian flag.
“We are here to defend the rule of law and values in this country. Bolsonaro’s trial is a disgrace,” said Aparecida Paula, a 70-year-old retiree who joined the march.
Many carried signs supporting Bolsonaro while criticizing Lula and Supreme Court judges. Some banners even read, “Thank you, President Trump.”
Calls for Amnesty
Protesters demanded amnesty for hundreds of Bolsonaro supporters already convicted for the January 8, 2023 riots. On that day, rioters stormed Brazil’s Supreme Court, Congress, and presidential palace, calling on the military to remove Lula from office.
The demonstrators hope Congress will approve a broader amnesty law that could eventually include Bolsonaro himself, even if he is found guilty.
At the time of the riots, Bolsonaro was in the United States, but prosecutors accuse him of inciting the violence through his speeches and actions before the attacks.
Ultra-conservative pastor Silas Malafaia, who sponsored the event, attended the rally alongside Michelle Bolsonaro, the former president’s wife.
Bolsonaro’s Political Future
Bolsonaro served as president from 2019 to 2022. However, Brazil’s election authorities have already barred him from running for office until 2030 after he repeatedly questioned the country’s electronic voting system without evidence.
He continues to claim that he is a victim of political persecution, comparing his case to what Trump has called a “witch hunt.”
Lula’s Counter-Rally and Independence Day Parade
Earlier in the day, trade unions and left-wing groups held counter-protests in Sao Paulo. Thousands joined the rally, chanting, “No amnesty!”
In Brasilia, President Lula led the official Independence Day parade under the theme “Sovereign Brazil.” The parade came amid rising tensions following the 50 percent US tariffs imposed by Trump.
“We don’t take orders from anyone,” Lula declared in a televised address on Saturday night. The 79-year-old leader, who plans to run for reelection in 2026, urged Brazilians to stay vigilant.
Lula warned that granting amnesty to those involved in the January 8 attack would set a dangerous precedent.
“It’s a battle that must also be fought by the people,” he said.
High Stakes for Brazil
The Supreme Court ruling, expected later this week, will determine Bolsonaro’s political fate. It will also test Brazil’s democratic institutions at a time of deep political divisions.
The outcome could shape the country’s political landscape for years, as Bolsonaro’s supporters and critics brace for the next chapter in Brazil’s turbulent politics.