Two days after September 7 protests, Esplanade in Brazil’s capital remains closed to vehicles

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Two days after the September 7 holiday, the Esplanade of Ministries remains closed to vehicles on Thursday morning (9/9). According to the Secretariat of Public Safety of the Federal District (SSP-DF), on Wednesday afternoon (8/9), security forces began negotiating the removal of structures and vehicles on the site.

However, until early Thursday morning, there were still trucks parked on the central lawn, and groups of pro-government protesters camped in the area.

The State Police of the Federal District (PMDF) gave no prediction for the release of the Esplanade. According to the force, avenues N1 and S1 remain blocked on Thursday between the Cathedral and the 1st Military Fire Brigade (1º GBM).

Access to the Três Poderes Square remains restricted, and those trying to access the tourist attraction are told to leave by the police. The alternatives are avenues S2 and N2.

The protesters have been on the Esplanade since Independence Day, a national holiday celebrated on September 7. On that date, an act in support of President Jair Bolsonaro included people from various parts of Brazil.

The demonstrators’ main demands were the adoption of printed ballots and the removal of ministers of the Supreme Court (STF). According to extraofficial estimates, 400,000 people passed by the Esplanade during the acts.

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