Nikolas’ demonstration for Bolsonaro’s freedom brings together 18 thousand in Brasília, says USP

The demonstration called by federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) as the final act of the 240-kilometer walk to Brasília brought together 18 thousand people in the capital, according to mapping by the Political Debate Monitor, from USP, in partnership with the NGO More in Common. The protest focused on the request for freedom for former president Jair Bolsonaro (PL), arrested and convicted of crimes linked to the coup attempt after the 2022 election.

To calculate the number of participants, the research analyzed aerial photos, taken by drone, at different moments of the demonstration. With a margin of error of 12%, the total at the peak moment could have varied between 15,800 and 20,100 participants.

Former first lady Michelle Bolsonaro participated in a prayer alongside Nikolas during the morning, but was not present at the event, as was senator Flávio Bolsonaro (PL-RJ). Both, however, showed support for the demonstration.

Nikolas and his allies walked around 240 kilometers from Paracatu (MG) and ended the walk at Praça do Cruzeiro, six kilometers from Palácio do Planalto, which was surrounded by fences.

At the demonstration, the group defended the overturn in Congress of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s (PT) vetoes on the dosimetry project, which reduces the sentences of Bolsonaro and others convicted of the acts of January 8.

— This act is asking for the freedom of all those arrested on January 8th. God willing, the dosimetry veto will be voted on and we will overturn the veto — said Nikolas, who asked the public not to walk towards Praça dos Três Poderes.

The demonstration took place without any clashes, with banners and words in defense of amnesty, calls for Bolsonaro’s release and, at times, shouts for President Lula to be arrested.

Before the deputy arrived, lightning struck near the concentration and left injured people, who were taken to hospitals in the region.