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Brazil is experiencing a moment of intense and unusual polarization after a few tumultuous years. He suffered a deep and prolonged recession, an investigation into corruption that decimated his political class, and the dismissal and dismissal of his first female president in highly contentious proceedings.
The Bolsonaro campaign has both benefited from political division and contributed to its division by focusing on issues of cultural warfare and "traditional" family values.
He did not temper his rhetoric during the campaign and continued to praise the Brazilian military dictatorship that has lasted for two decades. He also promised to give the police permission to shoot first and ask questions later.
Saturday's protests were led by women's groups and others who said they rejected his divisive rhetoric and feared it would make life harder for minorities of all stripes.
"To be here, is to say no to sexism and hate," said Lidia Ferreira, a 46-year-old literature teacher. "Bolsonaro as president would be a tragedy for the country.
A handful of small rallies also took place on Saturday to support Bolsonaro. One of his sons tweeted a video of dozens of women in pink shirts singing his name in front of the opera of the Amazonian city of Manaus. Another son tweeted a video of a hundred women identified as evangelical leaders, saying, "Yes, Bolsonaro, that is me!
Bolsonaro's "saying things as they are" attitude has gained strength among voters who are angry with the political establishment. Despite his decades in Congress, they see him as an outsider who can rid Brazil of corruption and high crime rates.
He particularly drew the support of those who are disgusted by the Left Labor Party, which has ruled the country for much of the last decade and want to prevent its return to power at any cost.
"People think that Bolsonaro is an economic alternative to the latest governments. That's not the case, "said Sandro Gandur, a 31-year-old lawyer at the Sao Paulo protest. "This could be the main area for (changing attitudes) people who are inclined towards him but who are uncertain."
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De Sousa reported from Rio de Janeiro. The Associated Press video journalist, Yesica Fisch, contributed from Rio de Janeiro.
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