‘Clear the highways’: Bolsonaro appeals to protesting Brazilians who denounce electoral fraud with blockades

President Jair Bolsonaro (PL, right) made a video on Twitter on Wednesday, Nov. 2, to ask protesters to clear highways in several states across the country.

After Bolsonaro’s electoral defeat to Luíz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT, left), considered fraudulent by a rapidly growing number of Brazilians, voters of the current president blocked highways in protest.

There have already been three days of blockades, causing fuel shortages in some cities, as well as flight cancellations and various problems.

“I know you are upset, sad, and expected something else. I am also upset and sad. But we have to keep our heads on straight,” he said.

(Read the English translation of his speech at the end).

The president had already spoken on Tuesday, Nov. 1, after two days of silence since the announcement of the election results, and once again reinforced that “demonstrations are welcome and are part of the democratic game.”

However, this time, he stressed that “closing highways harm the right to come and go”, guaranteed by the Constitution, and that he has always played “on these four lines”.

In addition, he cited that the blockades harm the country’s economy. “I appeal to you: clear the highways. We will not lose legitimacy.”

The president also pointed out that the demonstrations are spontaneous.

But, because they happen at many points, they demand great effort from the Federal Highway Police PRF. “Protest in other ways and other places.”

English translation of Bolsonaro video:

Brazilians who are protesting for Brazil, I know you are upset and sad. You expected something else, and so did I. I am as upset, and sad as you are, but we have to keep our heads on straight.

The protests and the demonstrations are very welcome; they are part of the democratic game and, over the years, much of this has been done for Brazil.

On the Esplanade [of the Ministries], Copacabana, Paulista, and so many other places.

Even something that is not legal.

Closing highways throughout Brazil harms people’s right to come and go. It’s there in our Constitution. And we have always been within those four lines.

We must respect the rights of other people who are moving, besides the damage to our economy.

I know that the economy is important. I know that you are giving more importance to other things now. It’s legitimate. But I want to appeal to you: clear the roads. This is not part, in my opinion, of these legitimate demonstrations. We here will not lose this legitimacy.

Other demonstrations that are being held throughout Brazil, in public squares, are part, I repeat, of the democratic game. Feel free. And I make it clear: you are demonstrating spontaneously.

From the first moment, we deployed our Federal Highway Police to clear highways throughout Brazil.

And they have been doing the work to try to clear them. But there are many points, and the difficulties are enormous.

Everybody is suffering losses with these closed highways. The appeal I make to you: clear the roads, and protest in other ways, in other places; this is very welcome; it is part of our democracy.

Please, do not think badly of me. I want the good of you.

Throughout all this time at the head of the Presidency, I collaborated to resurrect the patriotic feeling, the love for the homeland, our green, and yellow colors, the defense of the family, and the defense of freedom. Let’s not throw this away. Let’s do what has to be done.

I am with you, and I am sure that you are with me. The request is: highways, let’s clear them for the good of our nation and so that we can continue to fight for democracy and freedom. Thank you very much to all of you. God bless our Brazil.”

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