After hours of chaos, Brazilian police have retaken the National Congress building after pro-Bolsonaro protesters stormed the premises. Police are still in the process of clearing rioters from the Supreme Court headquarters and Planalto presidential palace.
Brazil’s Chief Justice Rosa Weber on Sunday said the country’s Supreme Court will work to ensure that “terrorists” were made an “example” of.
Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro stormed the National Congress building in Brasilia earlier on Sunday.
Hundreds of people invaded the building, calling for military intervention to overthrow President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula was inaugurated one week ago.
Supporters of the former president refuse to accept that the populist autocrat lost his bid for reelection, claiming the election was stolen. Hardcore supporters have even openly called for a military coup in order to put him back in charge, with some seeking to sow chaos through vandalism and violent attacks in hopes of triggering a military response.
Hundreds pour into Congress
Footage shared on social media showed hundreds of people pouring into the National Congress building. The protesters were met with police tear gas.
A Brasilia-based reporter shared a video on Twitter purportedly showing the protesters storm the building.
Another journalist shared a video purportedly showing the protesters as they tried to break the windows of the National Congress building.
The group crossed a police barrier and climbed the ramp that gives access to the roof of the Chamber of Deputies and Senate buildings.
Protesters wearing yellow and green T-shirts and Brazilian flags attacked some police vehicles securing the building, the Spanish EFE news agency reported. They also destroyed protection barriers.
Brazilian media reported that the army had stationed 2,500 troops in Brasilia ahead of the possible declaration of a “guarantee of law and order” (GLO) by the president, which would authorise the use of troops in the case of a security crisis.
A video shared on social media showed a man draped in a Brazilian flag holding what appeared to be a copy of the Brazilian constitution taken from the Federal Supreme Court. The original copy of the constitution, ratified in 1988, is held at the court.
Mob also storms Planalto Palace, Supreme Court
The protesters attempted to enter the Planalto Palace, which serves as the seat of government, news agency LUSA reported. Videos on social media appeared to show them inside the palace.
