Bolsonarists protest against Dino’s nomination to the STF – 12/10/2023 – Power

Bolsonaro protesters gathered again this Sunday (10) to protest against the appointment of minister Flávio Dino (PSB) to the STF (Supreme Federal Court).

In São Paulo, the event takes place on Avenida Paulista. Around 3pm, the Bolsonaristas, dressed in green and yellow, took over a block, between Peixoto Gomide Street and Masp.

The sound car played the national anthem and a single that repeated “Dino no, Dino no”. In addition to banners against the minister’s nomination, there were also the traditional banners against STF minister Alexandre de Moraes and in favor of the printed vote.

During the week, Bolsonaro parliamentarians recorded a video calling for the demonstration. In the images appear federal deputies Carla Zambelli (PL-SP) and Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) and senator Magno Malta (PL-ES), among others. In addition to them, pastor Silas Malafaia also participated in the video. They ask that the Senate, especially parliamentarians from the center, veto Lula’s (PT) nomination for the Supreme Court.

Dino and prosecutor Paulo Gonet, appointed by Lula to the PGR (Attorney General’s Office), will be questioned simultaneously at the Senate’s CCJ (Constitution and Justice Commission) next Wednesday (13). The expectation is that the plenary analysis will take place next, on the 13th or the following day, the 14th.

This Sunday’s events were also called in memory of Cleriston Pereira da Cunha, defendant in the January 8 attacks who died in the Papuda Penitentiary Complex. Last Sunday (26), the Bolsonarists already held a demonstration on Avenida Paulista to honor Cleriston.

Former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL) and some Bolsonaro parliamentarians and governors, such as Eduardo Bolsonaro (PL-SP) and Tarcísio de Freitas (Republicans), however, are in Argentina, this Sunday, attending the inauguration of elected president Javier Milei.

Among the parliamentarians who were not in Argentina and attended Paulista, deputy Luiz Philippe de Orléans e Bragança (PL-SP) spoke against the center and called for more protests. According to him, the Executive and the Judiciary are forming “a dictatorial plan for Brazil”.

In the sound car, activists, minor Bolsonarists and some artists such as singer Eduardo Araújo took turns. The speeches revolved around the argument that Dino, as a communist, would not be able to take up a seat on the Supreme Court. Another recurring topic was the defense of those arrested for the January 8 coup attacks — relatives and lawyers were among the speakers.

Right-wing movements marked demonstrations in capitals and cities in 15 states and the Federal District, according to UOL.

In Brasília, the event at Esplanada dos Ministérios took place in the morning. People of different ages wearing green and yellow clothes stood under the strong sun and temperatures around 30 degrees to participate in the event. The number of protesters was noticeably smaller than in last year’s calls. When contacted, the Military Police of the Federal District stated that it does not publish public estimates.

In the sound truck, different parliamentarians spoke with the main theme being the vote against Dino — but Lula, the first lady Rosangela Silva (Janja) and the president of the PT, Gleisi Hoffmann, were also targets.

Senators Jorge Seif (PL-SC), Magno Malta (PL-ES), Izalci Lucas (PSDB-DF) and Márcio Bittar (União-AC) took the floor — the latter of whom defended amnesty for Bolsonaro. Representatives Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO), Delegado Caveira (PL-PA) and Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) also spoke — he read a list of pro-Dino senators and asked for boos for each name mentioned.

At least 50 military police officers worked to secure the demonstration. They formed a preventive containment line between the militants and the National Congress, with the help of a barrier of metal bars. There were no attempts to pass the blockade.

At times, the organizers emphasized that this was an orderly protest — after the Bolsonarist demonstrations were marked by violence and vandalism, as in episodes recorded in December 2022 and on January 8.

On top of the vehicle, there was an Israeli flag and a banner in favor of the release of Colonel Jorge Eduardo Naime, the longest serving police officer arrested on January 8th on charges of omission. The organizers even asked for a small box to pay for Christmas for those still imprisoned as a result of the episode.

As shown by Sheetthe main agendas used by Bolsonarists to take people to the streets this Sunday expose contradictions in this political field in relation to human rights and democracy, in addition to a controversial vision about the limits of freedom of expression.

The group’s critical stance towards the STF’s decision on press freedom also contrasts with the repeated attacks on journalists throughout the Bolsonaro government.

“We, right-wing deputies, people who are fighting for our freedoms, need the people on the streets”, states federal deputy Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO), in the video recorded by different parliamentarians from the Bolsonarist group to publicize the demonstration.

Bolsonaro, who has already addressed issues related to human rights such as “thugs’ rights” and “vagrancy manure”, supported the call for an act in honor of Cleriston two weeks ago.

The third consecutive call for Bolsonaro groups, after November 26th and 15th, this Sunday’s demonstrations are part of a movement to retake the streets by the right since the coup attacks on January 8th.

Bolsonaro himself has already admitted that fear has inhibited part of the militancy — punishments for participants of January 8th and decisions by the STF are cited as causes of the fear of returning to the streets.

Throughout this year, Bolsonaro supporters promoted events with right-wing and conservatism flags on September 7th and October 12th. On both dates, concentrations in different cities had reduced attendance, low support from the political class and timid repercussions.

On November 15, Bolsonarists returned to the streets on the Proclamation of the Republic holiday in protests that were also empty — in São Paulo, only one direction of Avenida Paulista was blocked to traffic. That day, the acts were affected by the heat wave.

In 2022, the demonstrations had greater support, driven by the contestation of the results of the polls, in the coup incited by Bolsonaro.

Last Sunday, protesters occupied both lanes of Avenida Paulista for a block and a half. They criticized Lula, called a “thief”, and Alexandre de Moraes, rapporteur of the cases related to January 8th at the STF.

Since leaving the Presidency, Bolsonaro has already been convicted twice by the TSE (Superior Electoral Court). Firstly, because of the attacks and lies related to the electoral system. Then due to the electoral use of the 7th of September celebrations last year.

Bolsonaro is ineligible, banned from contesting elections for eight years and is still under investigation by the STF on suspicion of having been the intellectual author of the January 8 coup attacks.