RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Brazil’s opposition took to the streets in Brazil on Saturday (24) to demand the impeachment of President Jair Bolsonaro for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, the fourth protest called by trade unions, leftist parties, and social movements in less than two months.
In various cities, demonstrators also demanded acceleration of the vaccination process and increasing the amount of economic subsidies so that the poorest can face the crisis that came with the virus.
In addition to the demonstrations in Brazil, the actions were coordinated with like-minded people in cities from countries, including Germany, Spain, Canada, the United States, England, Mexico, and Portugal.
The most substantial crowds could be seen in São Paulo, the largest metropolis in the Southern hemisphere and hardest hit by the pandemic.
With these actions, the organizers hope to get Congress to pressure Chamber president Arthur Lira to analyze and open impeachment proceedings against sitting president Jair Bolsonaro. According to current law, this decision is his alone.
Banners with the phrases “Bolsonaro out!” “Vaccination for all now!” and “Bolsonaro genocidal” were the basic tenor of the protests, which registered acts of violence only in So Paulo.
At the beginning of the night, when the marches were already dispersing in the São Paulo capital, the police fired tear gas after being attacked with stones by a group of hooded men, who also destroyed the facade of a bank.