The large demonstrations called by the extreme right in the main cities of Brazil for yesterday, Wednesday, did not take place, after the Justice warned that it would take legal action against anyone who tries to continue promoting a coup.
At the time of the call, Avenida Paulista in Sao Paulo or Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro were deserted, while only two Bolsonaristas attended the Esplanade of the Ministries in Brasilia, who sat on the ground in front of the numerous armored personnel carriers deployed by the Police.
In other Brazilian capitals the same scenario was repeated: empty streets, no protesters, a large presence of journalists and a large deployment of security forces.
The call circulated since Tuesday night in groups of Bolsonaristas on social networks, who intended to call a “mega-demonstration” for the “retake of power”, an allegation that made the Justice react.
Supreme Court magistrate Alexandre de Moraes, who is investigating a case investigating anti-democratic acts, ordered the authorities throughout Brazil to prevent the blockade of any road, highway or access to public entities and to arrest anyone who attempts any of these actions.
The magistrate also ordered that Telegram block the channels and profiles that promote this type of act, an instruction that was complied with by the social network, since several of the groups habitually used by radicals could not be accessed.
In other groups that had not been blocked, some users warned that the call for demonstrations was a “trap” to arrest extremists, who call themselves “patriots.”
The messages calling for the demonstrations circulated after thousands of Bolsonaro supporters carried out a coordinated attack last Sunday against the headquarters of Parliament, the Planalto presidential palace and the Supreme Court.
Radical Bolsonaristas caused extensive damage to palaces, with the aim of overthrowing President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, a week after he took power.
Due to the attacks, more than 1,500 people were arrested, of which some 600 were released for “humanitarian matters”, although they remain linked to the process.
“Mega protest”
A pamphlet promoting a “mega protest to regain power” was circulating on social networks, especially on Telegram, and urged protesters to take to the streets of more than twenty cities, including the Brazilian capital.
Citing the call to protest on social media, Federal Supreme Court magistrate Alexandre de Moraes ordered local authorities to prevent protesters from blocking roads or occupying public spaces and buildings.