Pro-Bolsonaro Supporters Riot in Brazil

January 9, 2023

Bolsonaro supporters generate chaos in Brasilia, Brazil with the invasion of the Supreme Court, the National Congress and Planalto Palace on January 8 [Image Source: Mateus Bonomi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images]

Cited article by Jack Nicas, The New York Times

HRRC condemns the violence in Brazil in an effort to overthrow the democratic election of President Lula. Additionally, we are concerned by the similarities of this situation to the insurrection that took place on January 6, 2021 in the United States. Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro must urge his supporters to cease their violent attacks on democratic institutions.

Article Summary

On Sunday, January 8th, hundreds of protestors stormed Brazil's congress, supreme court, and presidential offices. Social media has been flooded with claims of voter fraud in the Brazil election which saw Bolsonaro removed from office. Experts are stating that the January 8th pro-Bolsonaro demonstrations show similarities to the "digital playbook" of the January 6th insurrection in the United States.

Significant concerns remain over the security measures that were taken, as protestors had been camped at the Brazilian capital for the last 10 weeks. Brazil authorities have detained the rioters and the protestor camps have been dismantled. Former President Bolsonaro is currently in Florida, while current President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is receiving support from President Biden.