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A series of protests against the government of Jair Bolsonaro for its actions in the covid-19 crisis took to the streets of municipalities in 24 states in Brazil and the Federal District of Brasilia on Saturday.
Among the multiple reasons behind the protests, although all linked to the pandemic, were Bolsonaro’s demands for impeachment, the acceleration of the covid-19 vaccination, and the increase in the value and duration of the emergency aid.
The mobilization was organized by opposition parties to the government, social movements, unions and student organizations, with protests recorded in at least 180 cities across the country, according to the G1 news portal.
Polls indicate that Bolsonaro’s popularity has plummeted due to his response to the pandemic.
Brazil records nearly 460,000 deaths, the second highest figure in the world after the United States. It also has the third highest number of coronavirus cases with over 16 million.
The high number of cases has brought the country’s health system to the brink of collapse.
Bolsonaro has consistently opposed lockdowns and other restrictions, arguing that the damage to the economy would be worse than the effects of the coronavirus itself.
He also told the Brazilians to “stop complaining” about the situation.
In the federal capital, Brasilia, demonstrators gathered in the morning near the National Museum of the Republic and then marched along the Esplanada dos Ministrios, towards the National Congress, occupying the six lanes of the street.
Protesters marched alongside a giant plastic doll of the president.
The banners could read calls for impeachment and calls for more vaccinations and emergency financial assistance.
Calls have also been made to better protect indigenous peoples and stop deforestation in the Amazon.
In the town of Recife, the protest was put down by military police with rubber bullets and tear gas, leaving Workers Party (PT) adviser Liana Cirne affected by pepper spray. Pernambuco Governor Paulo Cmara said the commander and other police officers involved in the attack would be removed from their posts and would be investigated.
At Sao Paulo, Protesters gathered on Avenida Paulista and occupied ten blocks of the road, in a protest that ended without violence.
At Ro de Janeiro, The demonstration started in the morning in the central region. The previous weekend, Ro had been the scene of a “motorcycling” with the participation of Bolsonaro and General Eduardo Pazuello, former Minister of Health, who had participated in the rally without masks.
During the anti-government protests on Saturday, the use of protective gear was widespread among most participants, but there were times of overcrowding.
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