They set hearth to the carpet within the decrease home of Brazil’s Congress. They attacked the presidential places of work, rifled by way of papers and tried to barricade themselves inside. They destroyed home windows contained in the Supreme Courtroom.
Hundreds of supporters of Brazil’s right-wing former president, Jair Bolsonaro, stormed buildings representing the three branches of presidency to protest what they falsely consider was a stolen election.
The riots had been the fruits of assaults by Mr. Bolsonaro and his supporters in opposition to the nation’s electoral techniques. Many photographs of the riots recalled the Jan. 6 assault on the U.S. Capitol.
Authorities stated in a while Sunday that the army police had retaken management of all three buildings and the Three Powers Sq.. Right here’s what we find out about what occurred at every location.
Nationwide Congress Constructing
Scores of protesters compelled their means within the Nationwide Congress constructing, spreading all through the constructing and making their approach to the roof. Video confirmed Bolsonaro supporters utilizing heavy steel safety barricades to smash by way of a number of massive home windows earlier than getting into Congress.
As soon as inside, protesters might be seen inside a chamber of the higher home of Congress posing and taking video of themselves.
“This can be a historic second,” one protester narrated on a livestream as different demonstrators stormed Congress. That is “the invasion — the invasion, no, the occupation — of the Nationwide Congress.” He added to his viewers, “Give a like and subscribe to my channel, guys.”
Native information footage confirmed smoke and flames coming from the decrease home of Congress after protesters set the carpet on hearth.
In a plaza exterior the Nationwide Congress constructing, video posted to social media confirmed a crowd of protesters putting a police officer on horseback, pulling him off his horse.
Presidential Workplaces
Dozens of protesters streamed into the Presidential Palace, a constructing that was the positioning of the presidential inauguration only one week in the past. Some arrange a barricade to carry again the police and clear the way in which for extra protesters to enter, and video confirmed safety forces utilizing tear gasoline to attempt to disperse the crowds.
Movies posted to social media present males, some carrying Brazilian flags as capes, strolling into empty places of work that had been ransacked.
Later, dozens of Military troopers entered the constructing, and protesters might be seen rifling by way of papers on a desk.
One picture confirmed chairs tossed round, and one other confirmed furnishings that was thrown exterior the constructing laying on the bottom.
Later within the afternoon, two helicopters hovered over the presidential places of work. Officers within the helicopters fired what gave the impression to be anti-riot ammunition and tear-gas canisters.
Supreme Courtroom
On the opposite aspect of the plaza, protesters had been seen contained in the Federal Supreme Courtroom of Brazil destroying home windows.
A army helicopter flew overhead.
Calling the riot an act of terrorism, Ibaneis Rocha, the federal district governor, stated on Twitter that greater than 400 individuals had been arrested within the aftermath of Sunday’s protests “and pays for the dedicated crimes.”
Ashley Wu and Julie Shaver contributed reporting.
