Democracy at Risk in Brazil! - Poster of the Week
Sem Anistia
Gabriela Tornai
Digital Print, 2023
Brazil
Translation:
“No Amnesty
No Forgiveness
Bolsonaro
and his scammers
in Prison”
On Sunday, hundreds of far-right supporters of Brazil’s ex-president Jair Bolsonaro stormed the capital Brasília in a violent, January 6th-like protest of the newly elected president Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva. Their ultimate goal was to trigger a military intervention and remove the left-wing Lula from office. Nearly 1,500 people were arrested for destruction and vandalism.
Lula, and many others, blame Bolsonaro for instigating the violent election deniers. Bolsonaro offered a half-hearted condemnation of the rioters for their actions, but defended their right to protest. Bolsonaro may be absolved from any criminal charges because he fled the country to avoid participating in the transition of presidential power.
Following the insurrection, counter-protests have erupted around Brazil demanding the arrest and prosecution of the far-right rioters, and in defense of the election results.
Since Bolsonaro fled to Florida, President Biden has been criticized, including by the U.S. Representative Joaquin Castro (D-Texas), who stated “The United States Should not be a refugee for this authoritarian who has inspired domestic terrorism in Brazil. He should be sent back to Brazil.” (Reuters, 2023)
Bolsonaro is still in Florida, home of many right-wing exiles from Latin America — and many home-grown election deniers.
References:
Over 1,500 Arrested Over Assault on Brazilian Capital | Democracy Now
Lula Slams Far-Right 'Terrorism' as Brazil Clears Protest Camps | Japan Times
Bolsonaro Lays Low In Florida as Brazil Cracks Down on Riots By His Supporters | NPR
Pressure Mounts On Biden Over Bolsonaro's Florida Stay After Brasilia Riots | Reuters
Democratic lawmakers demand Biden cancel Bolsonaro’s visa after riots in Brazil | LA Times