In protest against the election defeat of Brazilian President Bolsonaro, his supporters have been blocking the streets for days. The right-wing politician supports the demonstrations. But he also calls for the paths to be opened “for the good of our nation” – and to protest better in other places.
After days of blockades, Brazil’s ousted President Jair Bolsonaro has called on his supporters to lift the numerous roadblocks in large parts of the country. “The closure of highways across Brazil is affecting people’s freedom of movement,” Bolsonaro said in a video posted on Twitter. “You have to respect the rights of other people who are on the move – not to mention the damage to our economy.”
The highway police had registered 150 roadblocks in various regions of the South American country on Wednesday afternoon, as reported by the Brazilian news portal “G1”. According to their own statements, the police have already cleared 688 blockades.
Bolsonaro’s supporters do not want to accept the election victory of his challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. Protests “in other places” are “welcome” because they are “part of the democratic game,” he said. “Protesting in a different way, in different places, that’s very good,” Bolsonaro said. “I’m by your side and I’m sure you’re by mine,” Bolsonaro continued. But the roads should be released “for the good of our nation”.
Numerous Bolsonaro supporters demonstrated on Wednesday in front of barracks in various regions of Brazil against the victory of left-wing former President Lula in the runoff election against Bolsonaro on Sunday. In at least 18 states and in important cities such as Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo and Brasília, they called for military intervention, the Brazilian newspaper Folha de S. Paulo reported.
