Six months after the invasion and looting of the Three Powers’ buildings in Brasilia by protesters dissatisfied with the result of the 2022 elections, the Federal Supreme Court (STF) recalled the episode and stated that democracy in Brazil “remains unshakable” despite having lived “a sad and deplorable page in its history”.
“Brazilian institutions stand firm. Chairs, paintings, glass and artwork have been restored. The financial impact of the destruction is approximately R$11.4 million, in the STF alone. But despite the signs that will remain forever in the memory of Brazilian society, democracy has not yielded and remains adamant”, said the court in a statement published on the institution’s website.
On January 8, Bolsonarist radicals marched along the Esplanada dos Ministérios, invaded the headquarters of the executive, legislative and judicial branches and left a trail of destruction through the main buildings of Brasilia.
With no apparent action by the Military Police, the vandals demanded military intervention and the arrest of President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who, in reaction, decreed federal intervention in public security in the Federal District.
The coup-like acts were checked by the security forces – Prime Minister, Civil Police, National Security Force, Federal Police and Army Police – some three and a half hours later.
Bolsonaristas also attacked police officers, who retaliated with gas bombs, pepper spray and cavalry. The first building built was the STF, then the Planalto and the Congress. A PF helicopter also fired shots from above and a water jet was used.
To date, 942 people have been arrested in flagrante delicto, of whom 464 have been granted bail. However, the number of people detained is higher: 1,406.
STF minister Alexandre de Moraes, seen as an executioner by the Bolsonarists, commented on the note released by the court on social media, classifying the day of the invasion of Powers as a “day of infamy”.
“Brazil must celebrate its #Unshaken Democracy. The institutions have reacted and respected the Federal Constitution. Under the leadership of our President, Minister Rosa Weber, the STF received 1,295 complaints from the Attorney General’s Office, initiating prosecutions, and already held 133 complaints instruction hearings. Long live the democratic rule of law!!!” he said on Twitter.
Other ministers of the Court, such as Gilmar Mendes and Luís Roberto Barroso, reported the note released by the STF.
The magistrates’ campaign had repercussions among supporters of the demonstrations, and around 2 pm one of the most commented topics on Twitter, with almost 4,000 posts, was #ImpunidadeUnabalada, with users parodying Alexandre de Moraes’ speech to criticize the decisions of the STF regarding the demonstrators.
Source: Terra
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