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Huge Crowds of 188,000 Rally for Brazil’s Bolsonaro

In a powerful demonstration of political support, huge crowds estimated at 188,000 people flooded São Paulo’s iconic Paulista Avenue on Sunday to rally for Brazil’s former President, Jair Bolsonaro. The massive gathering served as a defiant response to the mounting legal investigations that threaten his political future and have seen him barred from public office.

The event, organized by Bolsonaro and his allies, was framed as a peaceful defense of democracy and freedom of expression. Supporters, draped in the green and yellow of the Brazilian flag, traveled from across the country to show solidarity with the embattled right-wing leader, showcasing his enduring ability to mobilize a dedicated base.

A Sea of Green and Yellow: A Massive Show of Force

Paulista Avenue, a central artery of Brazil’s largest city, was transformed into a sea of supporters. The atmosphere was electric, with patriotic songs, chants, and speeches from political allies echoing between the skyscrapers. The official crowd estimate of 188,000 was provided by the University of São Paulo’s Monitor of Public Debate, a research group that analyzes aerial and ground-level images to calculate attendance.

This figure underscores the significant organizational power of the “Bolsonarismo” movement. Despite his 2022 election loss and subsequent legal troubles, Bolsonaro proved he can still draw huge crowds, a feat that sends a clear message to Brazil’s political and judicial institutions. The rally was peaceful, a point organizers and Bolsonaro himself repeatedly stressed in the lead-up to the event.

Many attendees expressed their belief that the former president is the victim of political persecution. “We are here to show that Bolsonaro is not alone,” said one supporter who traveled from the state of Minas Gerais. “They are trying to erase him, but the people are with him. This is the real democracy.”

Bolsonaro’s Address to the Huge Crowds

Standing atop a sound truck, Jair Bolsonaro delivered a much-anticipated speech. Adopting a more conciliatory tone than in his previous fiery addresses, he called for “pacification to erase the past.” He distanced himself from any coup-plotting allegations, stating he sought not to disrupt the democratic order but to defend himself against what he claims are unjust accusations.

A significant portion of his speech was dedicated to a call for amnesty for the hundreds of his supporters who were arrested and charged for their involvement in the January 8, 2023, riots in Brasília. “What I seek is pacification… a clean slate for a certain part of these poor people who are imprisoned in Brasília,” he declared to the roaring approval of the crowd.

However, the defiant core of his message remained. He held up a copy of the Brazilian Constitution and spoke about the importance of liberty. “We cannot agree that an authority can remove a politician from the scene, unless it’s for a fair reason,” he stated, in a clear reference to the Supreme Court investigations against him. He explicitly asked his followers not to carry signs or banners against any institutions or individuals, an attempt to control the narrative and avoid providing more ammunition for his accusers.

The Looming Legal Context

The rally cannot be understood without its legal backdrop. Bolsonaro is the target of several federal police investigations, the most serious of which alleges he and his top aides plotted to overturn the results of the 2022 election he lost to Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. As part of this probe, police confiscated his passport, and several of his close allies have been arrested.

The investigation, made public by a Supreme Court justice, includes evidence such as a video of a cabinet meeting where Bolsonaro allegedly pressured ministers to challenge the election’s legitimacy. Further details suggest a draft decree was written to declare a state of emergency and prevent the transfer of power. Bolsonaro has denied all wrongdoing, casting the investigation as a witch hunt. This rally was his first major public response, using his popular support as a shield.

Moreover, Bolsonaro is already politically sidelined, having been declared ineligible to run for office until 2030 by Brazil’s top electoral court for abusing his presidential power during the 2022 campaign. This rally, therefore, was less about a future presidential run and more about consolidating his role as the leader of the opposition and protecting himself from potential arrest, as reported by the Associated Press.

What Do These Huge Crowds Signify?

The political implications of Sunday’s rally are profound. First and foremost, it proves that Bolsonaro is far from a spent force in Brazilian politics. The ability to convene such huge crowds demonstrates that his connection with a significant part of the electorate remains strong and deeply personal.

Second, the event served as a platform to unofficially anoint his potential successors. Prominent allies like São Paulo Governor Tarcísio de Freitas and Minas Gerais Governor Romeu Zema were present and spoke, positioning themselves within the Bolsonarista movement. Tarcísio, in particular, is often seen as a potential heir to Bolsonaro’s political capital, and his presence lent significant institutional weight to the gathering.

Finally, the rally acts as a warning shot to the judiciary and the Lula administration. While Bolsonaro was careful with his words, the sheer size of the crowd is a political statement in itself—a reminder that any legal action against him could have significant social and political repercussions. It energizes his base for upcoming municipal elections and solidifies his position as the central figure of opposition in Brazil.

While Bolsonaro’s legal fate hangs in the balance, his political movement has proven its resilience. The future of Brazilian politics will be shaped not just in the courtrooms of Brasília, but also on streets like Paulista Avenue, where the power of popular mobilization remains a potent and unpredictable force.

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