By Richard Mann, Contributing Reporter
RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters’ profiles have started, on Wednesday, May 16th, a campaign on social networks to promote actions in favor of the government on May 26th.
On Twitter, at least 12 accounts connected to Bolsonaro’s network used the hashtag “#dia26nasruas” to summon the president’s sympathizers to the demonstrations.
The text triggered by Bolsonaro on WhatsApp this Friday is regarded by these supporters as a motivational mark for carrying out the actions.
The so-called “Centrão” parties and Supreme Court (STF) ministers, classified by the organizers as “enemies of Brazil,” are targeted by demonstrators. They also advocate for Minister of Justice Sérgio Moro, Provisional Measure 870 (on administrative reform) and the social security reform.
“Bolsonaro has bled for this country, but his enemies find it insufficient. They want to bury him. On the 26th, we will take to the streets in protest against the Centrão (“Centre”), the STF, and all the enemies of Brazil and of this government, which is so needed,” reads a message of the Conservative Brazil Movement (MBC) on Twitter.
The initiative is a response to demonstrations against the government last Wednesday.
The movement, however, does not enjoy the support of the major groups which led to the impeachment of President Dilma Rousseff: Vem Pra Rua (“Come to the Street”), NasRuas (“OntheStreets”) and MBL.
Vamos lotar as ruas.#Dia26NasRuas #BolsonaroNossoPresidente pic.twitter.com/Y6hsJY3yuT
— Juliano Fávaro 🇧🇷 (@Juliano22140593) May 18, 2019
Anonymous memes with the logo of these organizations circulated on social networks, calling for a march in defense of the government in Brasília on the 26th.
“We support the new pension plan, tax reform, and the anti-crime package. Like the vast majority of Brazilians, we want the country to succeed and develop. We are not adhering to this demonstration because we find the guidelines unclear and dispersed. We are non-partisan,” said Thomas Abduch, spokesman for the “NasRuas” movement.
Activist Adelaide Olivira, spokeswoman for “Vem Pra Rua”, says the group defends the social security reform and the anti-crime package prepared by Minister of Justice, Sergio Moro, but does not support President Jair Bolsonaro.
“Vem Pra Rua does not defend government policy and its party, but ideas and initiatives such as social security reform,” she said.
The MBL’s (Movimento Brasil Livre = Movement for a Free Brazil) opposition is one of the main themes on Twitter, which stated through its Twitter account that it was not part of the organization of the action.
Bolsonaro supporters such as Pedro Medeiros, Olavo de Carvalho’s student and followed by 11,000 people, criticized the movement’s stance.
Economist Leandro Ruschel, with 240,000 followers, also mentioned the movement: “The MBL is opposed to the government, I just don’t understand why they don’t openly declare it,” he said.
(Source: UOL Brazil)