Former Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro supporters gathered on Sao Paulo's iconic Paulista Avenue February 25, expressing solidarity amidst ongoing investigations that have raised concerns about the possibility of legal consequences for the ex-president, according to The Straits Times.

Bolsonaro, often compared to former US President Donald Trump, organized the rally, describing it as a "peaceful gathering in favor of the rule of law and our freedom, families, and future."

Earlier this month, Bolsonaro found himself at the center of a police raid linked to an alleged coup attempt.

The authorities accused him of manipulating a draft decree to overturn election results, pressuring military leaders to participate in a coup, and conspiring to imprison a Supreme Court justice following his electoral defeat to leftist President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva in 2022.

The ex-president had his passport confiscated and vigorously denied all allegations, emphasizing that the draft decree was constitutionally sound.

Bolsonaro supporters, resembling the actions of Bolsonaro's fervent followers in January 2023, who invaded and ransacked Brazil's presidential palace, Supreme Court, and Congress, gathered once again.

On Jan. 8, 2023, a week after Lula assumed office, the Jair Bolsonaro loyalists called for a military coup.

On the recent rally date, Bolsonaro not only defended himself against the accusations but also called for amnesty for those involved in the previous riot, asserting that it was not a coup but an effort towards pacification.

Jair Bolsonaro's Political Disqualifications

Adding to Jair Bolsonaro's legal challenges, the electoral tribunal in June barred him from running for any public office until 2030 due to his attacks on the election system, per SCMP.

Bolsonaro, however, used the platform of the rally to call for amnesty for individuals he referred to as "poor wretched souls" imprisoned in Brasilia following the previous year's invasion of key government institutions by his supporters.

The 68-year-old former army officer, draped in Brazil's national colors, sought the rally as a display of support amid increasing legal troubles just over a year since his departure from the presidency.

Divisive Messages and Ongoing Support

The event highlighted that Jair Bolsonaro's message still resonates with a considerable portion of Brazilians, IVP noted.

Clad in green and yellow, Bolsonaro supporters flooded Paulista Avenue, demonstrating their allegiance to the former president.

One participant even paraded wearing a military hat, chanting slogans in favor of the armed forces.

Federal police investigations have also implicated military generals in an alleged plot to orchestrate a pro-Bolsonaro coup linked to the riots in Brasilia last year.

Some supporters expressed concern about the potential radicalization of Brazil under Lula's leadership, who governed the country for two terms in 2003-2010.

Hairstylist Simone da Silva Sampaio voiced her fears, stating, "It is a country that was taken over by a communist party.

We're living terrible days in this place where we are silenced. We don't have the right to speak about the truth that happens here."

Workers' Party chairwoman Gleisi Hoffmann, a prominent adversary of Bolsonaro, commented on social media, cautioning against complacency with what she termed "coup mongers," emphasizing that Bolsonaro's call for amnesty is an attempt at securing his own impunity.

As the investigations continue, Jair Bolsonaro's legal battles intensify, the political landscape in Brazil remains highly charged, with contrasting perspectives on the former president's actions and the future direction of the country.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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