Summary
Thousands of supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets across the country on Sunday, demonstrating in opposition to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva as organizers sought momentum for Brazil’s presidential elections in October.
The protests took place in cities including São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Brasília. Many participants wore or waved Brazil’s national colors of yellow and green, and organizers and supporters used the rallies to frame the election fight as part of a broader political turning point.
Flávio Bolsonaro, the ex-president’s son, was among the central figures for the demonstrations. Ahead of the marches, Flávio posted on Instagram that “This year will be decisive for all Brazilians,” adding, “We’re one step away from succeeding at rescuing our Brazil.”
In Instagram remarks reported by supporters, Flávio was described as seeking to rally right-leaning voters around his candidacy against Lula, who has said he will run for a fourth, nonconsecutive term.
The rallies also unfolded against the backdrop of Bolsonaro’s continued legal custody. Supporters say the former president is in prison serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup following his 2022 electoral defeat to Lula, and many of those supporters have said they view Bolsonaro’s imprisonment as political persecution.
In Rio de Janeiro, protesters marched to the Copacabana area under the Sunday slogan “Wake up Brazil.” Igor Jardim, a 45-year-old military officer who attended the demonstration, said in an interview at the rally that Brazil needed to “wake up,” and he said he backs Flávio Bolsonaro, describing Flávio as having “good proposals” and “our hope.”
At the same time, Flávio’s appearances and speeches carried a strong focus on Brazil’s judiciary. A professor of public policy at the University of São Paulo, Pablo Ortellado, said at the protest that the demonstration celebrated Flávio’s candidacy and that Bolsonaro’s son was consolidating himself as the right’s nominee ahead of October’s vote.
In São Paulo, protesters carried signs calling for “Free Bolsonaro” along Paulista Avenue, and some participants displayed inflatable figures depicting Lula in prison clothing and Bolsonaro with a presidential sash. Many attendees said they were also trying to connect the presidential contest to court decisions that have shaped Bolsonaro’s political trajectory.
In a speech to the crowds, Flávio criticized the Supreme Court and accused it of “destroying democracy.” The protest remarks targeted justices including Alexandre de Moraes, who led the case against Bolsonaro, and José Antonio Dias Toffoli, who has faced scrutiny tied to a broader investigation involving Banco Master.
Douglas Ruas dos Santos, a state lawmaker who spoke at the protest in Rio, said protesters had a “project led by President Bolsonaro” that was “entrusted to Flávio Bolsonaro.”