Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro led a protest in central Sao Paulo against the country’s ban on the social media platform X, coinciding with Independence Day. Bolsonaro criticized Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for the ban on X, which was due to the platform’s refusal to appoint a legal representative in Brazil. The ban followed escalating tensions between De Moraes and X’s owner, Elon Musk. Brazil’s Supreme Court unanimously upheld the ban, sparking outrage among far-right groups who viewed it as an attack on free speech.
Bolsonaro, a prominent figure on the far right, used the ban as an opportunity to call for protests, citing threats to freedom of expression and democracy. He repeated false claims about the 2022 elections that led to his defeat and subsequent challenges that ultimately resulted in a ban from holding office until 2030. The protest in Sao Paulo attracted thousands of supporters, with Bolsonaro continuing to accuse De Moraes of bias and orchestrating the January 8 riot in Brasilia.
The ongoing conflict between Bolsonaro and De Moraes reflects the political polarization and challenges to democracy in Brazil. Bolsonaro’s claims of electoral fraud and efforts to undermine democratic institutions have led to violent protests and a ban from holding office. The ban on X further fueled tensions between the government and supporters of the far right, with Bolsonaro rallying his base against perceived threats to freedom of speech.
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