On March 16, 2025, supporters of Jair Bolsonaro protested at Copacabana Beach, advocating for amnesty for individuals charged in the January 2023 riots. Bolsonaro, facing coup charges, attended the rally and claimed innocence, asserting that he is a victim of political persecution. With key Supreme Court decisions approaching, the turnout at the rally indicates a potential decline in his political strength.
On March 16, 2025, thousands of supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gathered at Copacabana Beach to protest against coup charges he faces. The demonstration aimed to support a proposed bill that would grant amnesty to individuals imprisoned following the January 8, 2023 riots, during which government buildings were stormed. Participants wore Brazil’s national colors and rallied for the amnesty with chants and placards, although attendance numbers fell short of expectations, with local estimates around 18,000 attendees compared to a goal of 1 million.
Bolsonaro’s attendance at the rally followed formal coup charges brought against him by Brazil’s prosecutor-general, who accused him of orchestrating a plot to remain in power after his electoral defeat in 2022. The charges included allegations of plans to poison current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and to murder Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing multiple cases against Bolsonaro. The former president denies all allegations, claiming he is a victim of political persecution.
During the rally, Bolsonaro reiterated his innocence, asserting, “Nobody buys that story… I’m going to be a problem for them, in prison or dead.” His defenses are now seeking to move his case to Brazil’s full Supreme Court, where he nominated two justices. Should he be convicted, he risks facing a lengthy prison sentence.
Nine days following this rally, a panel of the Supreme Court is scheduled to decide on proceeding with the charges against Bolsonaro and his associates. His son, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, emphasized the need for unity among supporters, referencing the significant number of individuals imprisoned due to the January riots. Political analysts suggest that Bolsonaro’s efforts to portray himself and his supporters as innocent patriots could influence Congress to potentially grant him amnesty if convicted, despite the rally’s lower-than-anticipated turnout indicating a decline in his political influence.
Despite these legal challenges, Bolsonaro’s supporters, such as 25-year-old Cassiane Sousa, expressed enduring hope, declaring their participation as a testament to the movement’s strength.
This article details the recent demonstration by Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters in Rio de Janeiro as they rallied for amnesty regarding the January 2023 riot arrests. Despite the ongoing legal challenges facing Bolsonaro and diminishing crowd sizes, the protest reflects a continued commitment among his supporters. With significant court decisions imminent, the situation remains a critical juncture for Bolsonaro’s political future.
Original Source: apnews.com
