Thousands march fearing return of a Bolsonaro presidency in Brazil

In Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, thousands gathered for a student demonstration on Wednesday, protesting presidential candidate Flavio Bolsonaro and the growing far-right movement in the country. The son of former President Jair Bolsonaro led the elections, securing the first position, while second-place candidate Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will face off in a runoff election on October 25.

Attendees, young and old, carried signs reading "Never Again Bolsonaro" and "No to the Father, No to the Son," demonstrating their opposition to the Bolsonaro family's political influence. Protesters, moved by past experiences under Jair Bolsonaro's administration, voiced concerns about potential backlash against those who opposed his policies, particularly during the pandemic, which claimed over 700,000 lives in Brazil, the second-highest death toll worldwide.

Alice Carneiro, a 25-year-old maritime shipping administrator, expressed her fears for her trans wife's safety, remembering the risks and vaccine denial during Jair Bolsonaro's rule. Amid drums, fireworks, and massive flags displaying "Get Out Bolsonaro," protesters shared their apprehension about Flavio Bolsonaro's plans to grant his father amnesty, currently serving a 27-year sentence for attempting a coup following his 2022 election loss.

Emmanuel Araujo, a 19-year-old preparing for university entrance exams, lamented the rise of far-right ideologies in Brazil, stating that most Bolsonaro supporters were driven by hatred and resentment towards previous administrations rather than genuine belief in his proposals. He emphasized that despite Lula da Silva not being his preferred candidate, voters faced a choice between criticizing the current administration and potentially facing censorship under a Bolsonaro presidency.