Brazil’s 202nd Independence Day celebrations on September 7, 2024, were marked by political polarization and controversy, as the country grappled with recent political upheavals. President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva led the official government ceremony on the Esplanada dos Ministérios in Brasília, emphasizing the theme ‘Democracy and Independence! It’s Brazil on the Right Track’. The event featured a military parade and was attended by various authorities, including Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes.Meanwhile, former President Jair Bolsonaro organized a protest in São Paulo, targeting Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes and calling for ‘liberty’. Bolsonaro’s event, supported by pastor Silas Malafaia and far-right candidates, aimed to pressure for amnesty for those arrested in the January 8th, 2023 anti-democratic acts and to criticize recent decisions by Moraes, including the suspension of the X social network in Brazil.The celebrations were overshadowed by the recent dismissal of Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida, who was fired by President Lula on September 6 due to allegations of sexual harassment. Almeida denied the accusations and claimed he was a victim of a political conspiracy. The Workers’ Party (PT) expressed support for Lula’s decision, emphasizing that ‘no form of violence against women will be tolerated’.Security measures were heightened for the events, with over 5,000 agents deployed in Brasília. Despite the tense political atmosphere, Minister Alexandre de Moraes received friendly cheers from government employees and their guests at the official ceremony.The dual nature of the celebrations highlighted the ongoing political divisions in Brazil, with the government emphasizing democratic values and the opposition focusing on issues of free speech and criticism of the judiciary. As municipal elections approach later this year, these Independence Day events serve as a backdrop for the continued polarization of Brazilian politics.
Key points
- Brazil’s 202nd Independence Day was marked by separate events held by President Lula and former President Bolsonaro, highlighting political divisions.
- Human Rights Minister Silvio Almeida was dismissed due to sexual harassment allegations, overshadowing the celebrations.
- Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, a target of Bolsonaro’s criticism, participated in the official parade amid heightened security.
Contradictions👾While some sources report a tense atmosphere surrounding Justice Alexandre de Moraes, others mention he received friendly cheers from government employees at the official ceremony.
