Protests In Brazil

On Oct. 2, 2021, protests in Brazil occurred to impeach their former president, Jair Bolsonaro. Brazilians protested for the country’s unemployment rate, inflation increasing, and starvation. This is all due to how President Bolsonaro handled the pandemic.

About 600,000 Brazilians have died of COVID-19, which is about 28 percent of the whole population of the country. During this time, the President of Brazil encouraged crowds to gather. 

Many Brazilians also protested that inflation prices were too high, including the cost of high fuel prices, food and the cost of electricity. A drought also occurred which affected hydroelectric stations and nearly placed the country in a power outage. More than 14 million people are unemployed in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. 

Bolsonaros’ poll rates have been declining over the past year, with 61 percent of the population of Brazil suggesting the government is doing a poor job. This is the lowest percentage rate since he took office in 2019. Around 130 Brazilians have filed an impeachment request with the Chamber of Deputies. Bolsonaros reacted to this by stating that, “only God will remove me from power.”

These protests, however, brought unity for many people. Many social movements, trade unions, and left parties were brought together to protest the people that approved of Bolsanoros’ office run. 

The rallies of people who approve of Bolsonaros administration were held last month, where ten thousand people gathered, according to the BBC News. These rallies were to respond to Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva winning recent polls that could guarantee the charge of the President. 

Currently, Bolsonaros and his allies are going to be investigated by the Supreme Court for spreading false information about various subjects, such as COVID-19. Brazil’s elections are expected to be held in October 2022.