Protests in Brazil: Bolsonaro on Avenida Paulista – “only God will remove me from office”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – President Jair Bolsonaro gave a speech this September 7 on Avendia Paulista in São Paulo, which ended up being heard by his supporters.

In his speech, he made direct references to Supreme Court (STF) Justice Alexandre de Moraes. “We have a Justice within the Supreme Court who dares to continue doing what we do not admit.”

Bolsonaro went on to criticize the Supreme Court. “We respect all institutions. When someone from the executive branch starts to fail, I talk to him. If he doesn’t fit in, I fire him. When a deputy or senator starts doing something that is outside the four lines, he is submitted to the ethics council and can lose his mandate. But in the STF this does not happen.”

And he made another reference to Alexandre de Moraes: “A Justice who should look out for our freedom, for democracy, for the constitution, does exactly the opposite. Either this Justice fits in or he asks to leave.”

Bolsonaro added: “Your indignation has been growing. Our people have always excelled in freedom, we have always respected the laws and our constitution. This president who speaks to you has always been within the four lines of the constitution. Now, the moment has come for us to say to the people who abuse force and power that now everything is going to be different.”

Bolsonaro arrived at the air base of the Southeast Military Command, near Ibirapuera Park, the proceeded by car to Paulista Avenue.

“I want to tell those at the Supreme Electoral Court who want to make me ineligible, that only God can get me out,” he said, adding quickly: “Only in jail, dead, or with victory. And I want to tell the scoundrels that I will never be arrested. My life belongs to God, but the victory belongs to everyone.”

The president made his speech from the top of a sound car located near Trianon Park. The stretch of Avendia Paulista was cordoned off with barriers taht were opened to allow the president access to the area.

Before his arrival, in the speeches made by Bolsonaro’s politicians and supporters, there was a predominance of praise for the president and, especially, criticism of the STF. Banners and posters also called for military intervention.

On the streets and avenues around Avenida Paulista, there was a large concentration of buses – from the various caravans that came from other cities in the Southeast and other regions of the country.

DEMONSTRATION AGAINST BOLSONARO

The Anhangabaú Valley, in downtown São Paulo, was the place chosen for the demonstration against President Jair Bolsonaro. The mobilization at the site began around 2 PM.

Participants in the act also occupied adjacent streets, such as São João Avenue and Largo do Paissandu. Posters, banners, and catch phrases were centered on the main message: “Out, Bolsonaro”.

The protest was attended by activists from the LGBT movement, the Central Workers’ Union (CUT) and the Homeless Workers Movement (MTST).