Right-wing presidential candidate Senator Flavio Bolsonaro draws thousands of supporters in São Paulo on Brazil’s Independence Day as next month’s presidential election tightens against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The rally takes place on Paulista Avenue in cool weather, with turnout estimates from researchers at the University of São Paulo’s Monitor do Debate Politico putting attendance at about 28,500 people. Across outlets, the event is framed as part of the opposition’s campaign push in a close contest.
Both sources link the rally to Bolsonaro’s attempt to capitalize on a Supreme Court crisis. While each outlet’s wording differs slightly, they broadly agree that the central political context is the Supreme Court issue and that Bolsonaro is positioning the demonstration to increase support ahead of the election.
