A week after Lula da Silva’s close win against former Brazilian President, Jair Bolsonaro, protesters in Brasilia completely trashed the congressional building. Acting in support of Bolsonaro, these protesters were able to reach the Green Room in the House of Congress and turn the room into rubble. These pro-Bolsonaro protesters also managed to set the first floor on fire and flood the first floor after the sprinklers were set off. Since the attack on Sunday, over 1,500 people have been arrested. 

Why?

According to Brazil’s Presidential Communications Minister, Paulo Pimenta, the palace rooms were filled with blood, feces, and urine after the rage-fueled protesters demolished the inside of the building. However, why did Bolsonaro’s supporters feel a need to become so violent? As Brazil’s election date neared, Bolsonaro repeatedly expressed his concerns about the legitimacy of Brazil’s voting system. Like his ally, former U.S. President Donald Trump, Bolsonaro believed that if he lost, it must be due to fraud. After his loss, Bolsonaro complained even more, even though no data supported his ideas. He attempted to annul ballots, but the head of Brazil’s electoral court rejected this idea. 

Ever since his defeat, Bolsonaro has been staying in Florida and trying to separate himself from the attack. The former president said, “depredations and invasions of public buildings as occurred today, as well as those practiced by the left in 2013 and 2017, escape the rule.” He expressed his support for peaceful protests but claimed that what happened was unacceptable. 

History Repeats Itself

Ever since the attack, people cannot help but notice how similar the actions of Bolsonaro’s supporters are to Trump’s supporters on January 6th, 2021. Like the Brazilian protesters, Trump supporters also stormed the U.S. Capitol. Both presidents repeatedly complained about the voting systems in their countries, claiming they are untrustworthy. Also, both were connected to the attacks that happened. Trump, however, was directly linked to the attack whereas Bolsonaro was not. Despite this, many Brazilians are upset with Bolsonaro and his indirect effect on the attack. 

What Now?

President Lula da Silva will now increase security in the congressional building to prevent any attack like that from ever happening again. He claims that a lack of security allowed Bolsonaro’s supporters to destroy the presidential building. Brazil’s attorney general is investigating all the protesters involved in the breaches and a criminal investigation will be opened by his office in the Federal District.

Although Brazil is conflicted after the recent upheaval, Brazil’s people will find peace. The protesters will be punished for their crimes, and Pres. Lula da Silva will make sure nothing like that will ever happen again.