Brazil: Massive pro-democracy rallies held demanding action against rioters who stormed Congress

On Monday, several thousands of pro-democracy protesters held rallies across Brazil demanding accountability from the country’s former President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters who stormed the Congress and other government buildings in Brasilia over the weekend. As per reports, the crowds chanted “No Amnesty” repeatedly in a bid to demand retribution against the rioters who stormed the Brazilian capital on Sunday along with the ones who caused chaos in government buildings.

The Brazilian authorities detained more than 1,200 people on Monday in connection to the riots over the weekend which sent shock waves across the nation. Another 300 were detained on Sunday. However, in the aftermath, thousands of pro-democracy rallies were held and people in Sao Paulo chanted that Bolsonaro should be jailed. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva Lula convened multiple meetings as his cabinet underscored that the attack on government buildings will not delay his legislative agenda.

What happened in Brazil?

On Sunday, shocking scenes emerged from the Brazilian capital of Brasilia when thousands of protesters dressed in the country’s official football shorts and flags overran the police and vandalised the heart of the state. The rioters broke windows, toppled furniture and hurled computers and other electronic equipment on the ground. They reportedly also punched holes in Emiliano Di Cavalcanti's painting at the presidential palace while destroying other art pieces.

Subsequently, on Monday, armed officers started disbursing the camps of Bolsonaro’s supporters in Brasilia. While the heavily armed officers dismantled their camp in Brasilia, there are several other such establishments set up by Bolsonaro’s supporters across the nation since the presidential election.

Six hours after the situation unfolded in Brasilia, Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro condemned the attack and denied taking any responsibility for inciting the rioters. Moreover, Brasilia’s Governor Ibaneis Rocha was accused by Justice Minister Alexandre de Moraes of preventing the riot and was removed from the post.

FAQs:

1. What happened in Brazil?
   Thousands of Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters stormed government buildings in the Brazilian capital over the weekend.
2. What has Jair Bolsonaro said after his supporters stormed Congress?
   Jair Bolsonaro has denied taking any responsibility for inciting the riot and condemned the attack on Congress.