September 9, 2025

The streets of Brazil turned into a roaring sea of green and yellow this Sunday as thousands of Jair Bolsonaro's die-hard supporters took to the roads. Why so wild? They rallied just days before Brazil's Supreme Court is set to deliver a heavyweight verdict: Is the far-right ex-president guilty of trying to steal power in a failed coup? The drama centers on Bolsonaro's alleged plot after losing the 2022 elections to his rival, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The former army captain, now 70, could face up to 43 years behind bars if found guilty. Not just Brazil is watching—US President Donald Trump, a Bolsonaro ally, slammed the case as a "witch hunt". While Bolsonaro himself stayed home under house arrest, his fans hit streets from Brasilia’s heart to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo. At the bustling Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo, supporters wore the national colors proudly. "We are here to defend the rule of law and values in this country. Bolsonaro's trial is a disgrace," said Aparecida Paula, a 70-year-old retiree. The crowd wasn't shy about their views. Signs praised Bolsonaro and slammed Lula and Supreme Court justices. Some even waved banners saying, "Thank you, President Trump." What’s on their agenda? They want an amnesty for hundreds jailed after they stormed Congress, the presidential palace, and the Supreme Court on January 8, 2023. This fierce effort hopes Congress will free both supporters and maybe Bolsonaro himself, even if he gets convicted. Bolsonaro, accused of urging the rioters while in the US, insists he is a political victim. The protest was backed by ultra-conservative evangelical pastor Silas Malafaia and attended by Bolsonaro's wife, Michelle. But the ex-president must wait—he can’t run for office until 2030 because he questioned Brazil’s voting system without proof. Meanwhile, the other side of the city was not silent. Just hours earlier, trade unions and left-wing groups drew thousands to oppose the amnesty in Sao Paulo. At Brasilia’s grand Independence Day parade, Lula led the show with a strong message: "Sovereign Brazil." He spoke out against amnesty, warning it would be dangerous to forgive those behind the January chaos. Lula told the nation, "We don't take orders from anyone," showing his iron will ahead of his 2026 reelection bid. With Brazil’s future hanging in the balance, the month ahead promises political fireworks like never before!

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Tags: Jair bolsonaro, Brazil protests, Supreme court case, Luiz inacio lula da silva, Amnesty debate, Donald trump,