Bolsonaro Supporters Rally in Brazil as Supreme Court Verdict Looms

Tens of thousands of supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gathered in major cities on September 7, 2023, marking Brazil’s Independence Day with a display of political support. The rallies occurred just days before a Supreme Court verdict in Bolsonaro’s trial regarding allegations of attempting to overturn the results of the 2022 election, which he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

In a speech the previous evening, President Lula emphasized Brazil’s sovereignty, rejecting foreign influence in its domestic matters. His comments were directed at persistent criticism and sanctions from U.S. President Donald Trump. Bolsonaro’s supporters took to the streets dressed in yellow and green, echoing the colors of Brazil’s national flag, to voice their allegiance to their leader, who is currently under house arrest.

Strong sentiments were evident in the protests that took place in cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, and the capital, Brasília. A research group from São Paulo University estimated around 40,000 participants in São Paulo alone, mirroring the turnout seen in earlier demonstrations this year. Although the numbers were significantly lower than the hundreds of thousands who previously rallied for Bolsonaro, enthusiasm among his core supporters remained palpable.

Many in the crowd expressed unwavering belief in Bolsonaro’s innocence. One supporter, former military officer Suieton Souza, stated, “If he had wanted to stay in power, he would have been successful. Brazilians need to wake up.” Meanwhile, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, the former president’s eldest son, wore a shirt emblazoned with “Bolsonaro 2026,” despite his father being barred from running for office until 2030 following a ruling from Brazil’s top electoral court.

Protests featured symbolic gestures, such as a large United States flag carried by Bolsonaro’s supporters in São Paulo. The ex-leader was represented by São Paulo Governor Tarcisio de Freitas and his wife, Michelle Bolsonaro. In a poignant address, she expressed her belief in her husband’s eventual vindication, stating, “He loves his nation and his people, but he is suffering. I tell him every day that he will win. I believe and I trust in God’s answer to our nation.”

The Independence Day military parade in Brasília saw fewer Bolsonaro supporters compared to previous years. This shift was noted by Lula supporters, including 62-year-old Maria do Socorro Santos, who questioned the audacity of Bolsonaro’s backers, particularly in light of Trump’s tariffs aimed at Brazil. Trump has explicitly linked a proposed 50% tariff on Brazilian imports to Bolsonaro’s ongoing trial, which he has characterized as a “witch hunt,” and has imposed sanctions on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the case’s rapporteur.

In a national message preceding the day’s celebrations, Lula reiterated Brazil’s stance against external domination, insisting that the nation “will not be anyone’s colony.” Meanwhile, a smaller contingent of Lula’s supporters also demonstrated in major cities, advocating for the judicial proceedings against Bolsonaro.

As the country awaits the Supreme Court’s ruling, the political landscape in Brazil remains charged, reflecting deep divisions among its citizens. The outcomes of these events will likely have lasting implications for Brazil’s political future.