Supporters Rally for Bolsonaro Amid Coup Charges on Copacabana Beach

Former President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters rallied on Copacabana Beach, advocating for amnesty for those involved in a January 2023 coup attempt. Approximately 18,000 attendees gathered amid allegations of Bolsonaro’s coup plotting. Bolsonaro refuted accusations of wrongdoing, framing himself as a victim of political persecution ahead of upcoming Supreme Court deliberations.

On March 16, 2025, thousands of supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gathered on Copacabana Beach, advocating for a proposed bill to grant amnesty to individuals arrested for their involvement in a January 8, 2023 riot in Brasilia. The rally came amid allegations that Bolsonaro attempted a coup to retain power following his election defeat to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The demonstration was marked by enthusiastic chants and placards displaying the message, “Amnesty, now!”.

Approximately 18,000 attendees, according to a monitoring project affiliated with the University of Sao Paulo, expressed their solidarity. However, Bolsonaro’s allies had anticipated a turnout of one million participants. Historically, Copacabana has served as a platform for Bolsonaro to showcase his political influence.

Brazil’s prosecutor-general formally charged Bolsonaro for his alleged role in plotting a coup, including sinister plans to poison President Lula and assassinate Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. After losing the election, Bolsonaro left for the United States, declining to concede defeat. He maintains his innocence, alleging political persecution and actively seeking to transfer his case to the Supreme Court, which he appointed two justices to.

During the rally, Bolsonaro reiterated his denials of wrongdoing, emphasizing that he believes he was targeted due to his absence during the coup attempt. He proclaimed, “Nobody buys that story. I’m going to be a problem for them, in prison or dead.”

The demonstration preceded a significant Supreme Court meeting where justices would deliberate on whether to proceed with trials against Bolsonaro and his associates. His son, Sen. Flávio Bolsonaro, asserted the need for collective support for those he described as “political prisoners”.

Political analysts have noted that Bolsonaro’s rally strategy aims to frame him and his supporters as victims of a political witch hunt. However, the turnout suggests a decline in his political capital, with experts indicating there exists substantial evidence for the initiation of trials against the former president.

In conclusion, the recent rally on Copacabana Beach underscores the ongoing political support for former President Jair Bolsonaro amidst serious legal challenges he faces. With thousands gathering to demand amnesty for those arrested during the January riots, Bolsonaro’s narrative of political persecution resonates with his base. Nonetheless, political analysts caution that the limited turnout and substantial evidence against him could undermine his efforts to regain significant political power.

Original Source: apnews.com