Journalism of Courage
A week after his leftist opponent, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, took office, followers of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro attacked Congress, the Supreme Court, and the presidential palace on Sunday, January 8. Protestors stormed the National Congress building in Brasilia, Brazil. One of the protesters held a banner that read "Military Intervention" in Portuguese. (AP)
Leftist president Lula said that the military police force in the area, which is under the command of erstwhile Bolsonaro supporter and Brasilia governor Ibaneis Rocha, did nothing to halt the protestors' movement. In order to spark a military takeover that could put Bolsonaro back in power, Lula ordered federal intervention in the capital's public security and made exemplary punishment promises to those responsible for the "fascist" attack. (Reuters)
Thousands of protestors broke over security barriers, climbed roofs, shattered windows, and entered all three buildings, which were thought to be largely empty on the weekend. After Jair Bolsonaro supporters and demonstrators stormed the Planalto Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on Sunday, January 8, 2023, police in riot gear could be seen lining up outside the building. The Brazilian president's official headquarters is situated in Planalto. (AP)
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva examines the destruction at Planalto Palace after Jair Bolsonaro supporters invaded the building. (AP)
After three hours, police retook control of the damaged public buildings in the renowned, futuristic capital and used tear gas to disperse the protestors. (Reuters)
President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has vowed to bring those responsible for the riot to account. Brazilian officials have started an investigation into the greatest assault on the nation's institutions since the restoration of democracy forty years ago. (Reuters)
The national colours of green and yellow, which have come to represent the country's conservative movement and have been adopted by Bolsonaro's followers, were worn by demonstrators in the images on Globo News. (AP)
After Oct. 30 presidential election, months of unrest was brought to a head by the appearance of tens of thousands of demonstrators in yellow and green running amok in the city. The former president, who hasn't made many public appearances since losing the election, added that while peaceful protests are a vital component of democracy, breaking into and vandalising public facilities "crosses the line." (Reuters)
