Mass mobilization in support of Bolsonaro follows allegations of coup attempt against Lula

A crowd gathered here this Sunday Saint Paul called by former president jair bolsonaroWhich seeks to immediately dismiss the suspicion of a coup against it and Display strength as leader of the opposition.

Bolsonaro, declared politically disqualified, said this on Sunday “It cannot be accepted” that opponents are removed from the political scene, “We cannot accept that any power removes anyone from the political scene unless it is for a just cause. We cannot think about elections by removing our opponents,” the former head of state said.

He also demanded “amnesty for those poor unfortunates imprisoned in Brasília”, in reference to his followers who were arrested for the invasion and destruction of the headquarters of the Three Powers on January 8, 2023, against the inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula. Da Silva in power.

Bolsonaro, who remained silent when questioned by police on Thursday, again denied any attempted “coup” to his followers: “What is a coup? Tanks in the streets, weapons, conspiracy.” That didn’t happen either.”

Thousands of followers dressed in green and yellow began arriving in the morning on the metropolis’s symbolic Paulista Avenue, where the head of state had called for a march.

“This will be a peaceful demonstration in defense of the democratic rule of law,” Bolsonaro said in several videos published on social networks to rally his followers.

The former President said this He intended to defend himself against “all charges” against himThat includes suspicions of taking part in planning a coup to remain in power following his election defeat against Lula in October 2022.

The crowd gathered in Sao Paulo included Wilson Aseca, who had traveled about 700 kilometers from the neighboring state of Minas Gerais: “Bolsonaro is an honest man, a victim of persecution,” he told the agency. AFP The 63-year-old builder with the Brazilian flag hanging around his neck.

“It is important to support him, because he represents God, country and family,” she said, echoing the former president’s motto.

On 8 February, police launched Operation “Tempus Veritatis” (Time of Truth, in Latin) against Bolsonaro and several of his close associates, including some of his former ministers. There were raids, arrests and the former president was banned from leaving Brazil.

According to the investigation, the suspects had planned to discredit the electronic voting system before the elections. They later prepared a coup against the new Lula government – ​​which was not implemented.

Bolsonaro on Thursday described himself as a victim of “harassment” remained silent

When the police interrogated.

In elections, Bolsonaro remains leader of the opposition, although he cannot stand in any elections, having been disqualified until 2030 due to his criticism of electronic ballot boxes without evidence.

It is expected that Sao Paulo state governor and former Bolsonaro minister, tarcio de freitasAlso the mayor of the metropolis, ricardo nunesParticipate in the march.

One of Bolsonaro’s lawyers, Fabio Wagengartenindicated on Thursday that they expected “500,000 to 700,000” protesters, as well as more than a hundred delegates.

“On the 25th, I am leaving. to Brazil. “It’s going to be huge!” Bolsonaro’s federal representative wrote in X. Bea kisses.

“If there is big support, (Bolsonaro) will be able to say that the people are with him,” he confirmed. AFP andre rosa, political scientist at the University of Brasília. Otherwise, it will lose “legitimacy”, he says.

The demonstration was also promoted by the pastor silas malafiaVery influential among millions of evangelical Christians in Brazil, a key voter for Bolsonaro and the conservative opposition.

The former president asked his followers to march in green and yellow – the colors of the Brazilian flag that he had sought to appropriate during his tenure – but not to carry banners or flags.

Most of the protesters attending the call complied with the slogan, many wearing football team T-shirts and ‘green and yellow’ flags.

Bolsonaro also requested that there be no demonstrations in other cities of the country.

During his tenure, Bolsonaro’s activities were filled with slogans against Brazilian institutions, especially the Supreme Federal Court and its judge Alexandre de Moraes. In addition to being in charge of several investigations against Bolsonaro and his associates, this magistrate authorized the police operation “Tempus Veritatis”.

Since leaving power, there has been a flood of investigations against the former head of state.

Last year, he appeared before investigators on suspicion of inciting a riot in Brasília by his followers days after Lula’s inauguration.

In Paulista, Israeli flags are also waved among Orthodox followers. He called on social networks to support the Jewish stateAfter Lula’s controversial statement in which he compared the military operation in Gaza to genocide.

Edivan Batista Borges, a 43-year-old insurance salesman, wore the symbol of the Hebrew state on his back. “We want to show that Brazilians do not agree with what Lula said about Israel,” he said. AFP.

(With information from AFP)