On March 16, 2025, supporters of Jair Bolsonaro rallied on Copacabana Beach, advocating for amnesty for those charged in the January 8, 2023 coup attempt. Approximately 18,000 attendees, despite lower than expected turnout, expressed solidarity with Bolsonaro as he faces serious allegations. The former president denied wrongdoing, characterizing the charges as political persecution.
On March 16, 2025, thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro gathered at Copacabana Beach to demonstrate their backing amid coup charges against him. The rally’s purpose was to advocate for a proposed bill granting amnesty to individuals arrested for their involvement in the January 8, 2023 riots, in which government buildings in Brasilia were attacked. Local media estimated the crowd at approximately 18,000, although Bolsonaro’s allies aimed to mobilize a million participants.
During the protest, attendees donned Brazil’s yellow-and-green jerseys, chanting messages of support and holding placards that read “Amnesty, now!” The event occurred in light of Brazil’s prosecutor-general formally charging Bolsonaro with plotting a coup following his electoral defeat by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in 2022. Allegations include a conspiracy that involved plans to poison Lula and assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.
Bolsonaro, who fled to the United States shortly before the end of his term without conceding to Lula, refuted these accusations, claiming he is a victim of political persecution. His legal team is attempting to move the case to the Supreme Court, where he appointed two justices. If found guilty, Bolsonaro faces a lengthy prison sentence.
At the rally, Bolsonaro reiterated his innocence, stating, “Nobody buys that story. The only reason this coup story wasn’t perfect for them was because I was in the United States…I’m going to be a problem for them, in prison or dead.” His son, Senator Flávio Bolsonaro, encouraged the crowd to support those imprisoned, referencing more than 400 convictions related to the January riots.
Political analyst Paulo Henrique Cassimiro suggested that Bolsonaro was trying to position himself and the arrested as innocent victims to sway the Supreme Court’s decision on the charges they face. However, he noted that the low turnout at the rally indicated a decline in Bolsonaro’s influence. Law professor Thiago Bottino stated that sufficient evidence exists for the charges to proceed to trial, while some attendees expressed continued hope for Bolsonaro’s political future.
The rally at Copacabana Beach underscores the ongoing support for Jair Bolsonaro amidst serious allegations of coup plotting. Public attendance, though lower than anticipated, highlights a faction of steadfast supporters rallying for amnesty for those arrested during the January riots. As legal proceedings move forward, Bolsonaro’s supporters continue to advocate for his innocence against allegations of political conspiracy. Furthermore, the broader context of this demonstration reflects a significant moment in Brazil’s political landscape, wherein Bolsonaro’s influence appears to wane amidst legal challenges. Upcoming judgments from the Supreme Court may prove crucial in determining the future of both Bolsonaro and his supporters.
Original Source: apnews.com
