Key Facts
- ✓ An estimated 18,000 people gathered in Brasília for a protest demanding the freedom of former President Jair Bolsonaro.
- ✓ The event was organized by federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira following a seven-day, 240-kilometer march from Paracatu, Minas Gerais.
- ✓ A lightning strike in the afternoon injured several attendees, with eight people reported in serious condition.
- ✓ The protest calls for the release of Bolsonaro and others convicted for the January 8, 2023, attacks on democratic institutions.
- ✓ Crowd size was estimated using aerial photography and AI analysis by researchers from the University of São Paulo.
- ✓ Former President Bolsonaro is serving a 27-year, 3-month sentence for leading an organization to overturn the 2022 election results.
Quick Summary
A massive demonstration unfolded in Brasília this Sunday, drawing an estimated crowd of 18,000 people to demand the freedom of former President Jair Bolsonaro. The event, organized by federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira, marked the culmination of a week-long march from Minas Gerais.
The gathering, however, was disrupted by a severe weather event. In the afternoon, a lightning strike hit the central area of the capital, injuring multiple participants who were awaiting the arrival of the marchers. The incident added a dramatic and dangerous turn to an already charged political protest.
Scale and Methodology
The crowd size was quantified through a technical analysis conducted by the Monitor do Debate Político, a project from the University of São Paulo (USP), in partnership with the organization More in Common. Researchers utilized aerial photographs taken at 10:45 AM and 3:15 PM to conduct their assessment.
Artificial intelligence was employed to analyze the images and count the individuals present. According to the organizations, this method has a historical accuracy rate of 72% for identifying people in crowds. The final estimate carries a statistical margin of error of 12%, placing the peak crowd size between 15,800 and 20,100 people.
- Aerial photography captured at two specific times
- AI-powered analysis for crowd counting
- 12% statistical margin of error applied
- Partnership between USP and More in Common
""The objective was reached even before the final act. To awaken the people, to open their eyes to what is happening.""
— Nikolas Ferreira, Federal Deputy
The March to the Capital
The protest was not a spontaneous gathering but the final destination of a significant physical journey. Federal Deputy Nikolas Ferreira led a seven-day march covering approximately 240 kilometers. The route began in Paracatu, Minas Gerais, and concluded in the nation's capital.
Throughout the week-long trek, the group of politicians and supporters stopped overnight in various cities along the path. Before the march officially began, Deputy Ferreira addressed the media, framing the effort as already successful in its broader goal.
"The objective was reached even before the final act. To awaken the people, to open their eyes to what is happening."
He specifically cited concerns regarding the Master case and alleged fraud within the National Institute of Social Security (INSS) as issues the march aimed to highlight.
Weather Incident and Security
The event took a hazardous turn around 1:00 PM when a lightning strike impacted the central area of Brasília. The bolt struck the crowd while many were waiting for the marchers to arrive. Emergency services were required to transport the injured to public hospitals in the city.
Reports indicate that eight people were left in serious condition following the strike. In anticipation of the large gathering, security measures in the capital's central region were significantly heightened. Authorities installed protective barriers around public buildings and open spaces to manage the crowd flow and secure the area.
Political Context and Demands
The central demand of the protest was the release of Jair Bolsonaro and other individuals imprisoned in connection with the January 8, 2023, attacks on democratic institutions. The former president is currently serving a sentence of 27 years and 3 months, following a conviction by the Supreme Federal Court's (STF) First Panel.
The court found Bolsonaro guilty of leading a criminal organization that sought to maintain him in power and prevent the inauguration of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who won the 2022 presidential election. According to a balance sheet released by the STF earlier this month, 179 individuals involved in the anti-democratic acts remain in prison.
Looking Ahead
The Brasília demonstration highlights the continued political mobilization surrounding the legal cases of the former administration. While the event successfully drew a large crowd, the unexpected weather incident underscores the volatile nature of outdoor political gatherings.
As legal proceedings continue against the former president and his allies, events like this march serve as visible displays of support. The use of technical analysis to estimate crowd size also reflects a growing reliance on data-driven reporting in the coverage of political events.
