Supporters of Brazil's former leader Bolsonaro take to the streets
Thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is named in an ongoing coup attempt investigation in Brazil, have taken to the streets.
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In Brazil, thousands of supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is named in an investigation launched at the end of 2022 over allegations of a coup attempt and whose passport has been seized, have taken to the streets.
PROTESTERS TAKE TO THE STREETS
Bolsonaro supporters gathered on Paulista Avenue in the capital, São Paulo, to hold a demonstration in support of Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro described the protest as a "peaceful meeting for the rule of law, freedom, families, and the future." Protesters carried Brazilian flags and chanted slogans in support of Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro is expected to deliver a speech during the protest.
WHAT HAPPENED?
Bolsonaro, whose passport was seized earlier this year, was accused of drafting a decree to overturn the election results after losing the 2022 election to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, pressuring military leaders to participate in a coup attempt, and planning to imprison a Supreme Court justice. A week after Lula took office, Bolsonaro's supporters called for a military coup on January 8, 2023, and stormed the Presidential Palace, the Supreme Court, and Congress.
While 700 thousand people were expected to attend the protest, no official number has been announced yet.