Brazilian Congress Riot
- Otto Lee Oliveira Baptista
- Jan 27, 2023
- 2 min read
Brazil became the second country ever to have their congress and government buildings attacked by supporters of a political figure. earning them their first riot in 10 years, what sparked this event and what are the repercussions.
On the 8th of January, a riot of thousands of supporters attacked the country's congress and several other government buildings. Rioters managed to get into government buildings at several entrances. According to incredible footage, rioters managed to get through into the green room of the congressional building, the supreme court, and the presidential palace.
The explanation behind the attack was the displeasure of the former president Jair Bolsonaro; rioters attempted to prevent the certification of Bolsonaro electoral defeat. Regardless once rioters breached the building chaos ensued, video footage shows rioters setting fire to the carpet, destroying artwork and taking gifts received from the international delegations, there was also feces and urine were found in the palace rooms and corridors. Onlooker describes the rioters as a horde of zombies filled with hate on a destruction spree.
This resulted in the intervention of anti-riot forces which resulted in the arrest of more than 1,500 protestors with more who are yet to be identified. According to the minister of presidential communication rioters will face serious judicial punishment for their actions.
This major event sparked many debates among Brazilians as this act was an act to try and abolish democracy. And Brazil had been under military rule which only ended recently in 1985.
Resources:
Picheta, R. (2023, January 9). The violent attack on Brazil's government was months in the making. Here's what you need to know. CNN. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://edition.cnn.com/2023/01/09/americas/brazil-congress-attack-explained-intl/index.html
FitzGerald, J. (2023, January 17). Brazil Congress: Dozens indicted over 8 January riot. BBC News. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-64299892
Ionova, A., Spigariol, A., & Nicas, J. (2023, January 10). Brazilian authorities arrested the rioters. Now they are arresting security officials. The New York Times. Retrieved January 26, 2023, from https://www.nytimes.com/2023/01/10/world/americas/brazil-bolsonaro-riot.htm
Murphy, M. (2023). Brazil Congress: Lula vows to punish supporters of Bolsonaro after riot Visit. Retrieved 2023.
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Very important topic!
May I add something else? The certification of the elected president was done on Dec 12th 2022. What the riots were attempting to do was to create such a chaotic situation that the president would need to evoke the army to protect the presidential palace, the congress and the supreme court and then the army would perform a coup d'état claiming the current government was unable to keep the order.