"Michelle voices disapproval towards Lula in a pro-Bolsonaro demonstration, labeling him 'shameless cachaceiro'"
Protests Led by Michelle Bolsonaro Against President Lula da Silva in Belém, Brazil
Michelle Bolsonaro, the wife of former President Jair Bolsonaro, led a significant protest against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Belém, Brazil on August 3, 2025. This demonstration was part of a series of pro-Bolsonaro rallies that took place in at least 23 cities nationwide, collectively known as "Reaja Brasil" (React Brazil).
The Belém event, which began at 8:30 a.m., was marked by Michelle Bolsonaro framing the protests as a fight against censorship and injustice. She declared, "today, the reaction to injustices begins," and emphasized a broader struggle for freedom with religious symbolism tied to Belém’s significance as a starting point of resistance. The rally was attended by federal deputies and multiple supporters, some of whom arrived via school bus.
Former President Bolsonaro, currently under weekend house arrest due to Supreme Court orders tied to ongoing investigations, monitored the rallies remotely via social media. His allies, including federal deputy Bia Kicis, used the events to denounce allegations against Bolsonaro, describing the use of ankle monitors and arrests as political persecution.
A notable visual at the protests was supporters brandishing Mastercard and Visa credit cards, symbolically referencing recent U.S. sanctions placed on Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes by the U.S. Treasury Department. This was used to exemplify defiance against Lula’s government and judicial authorities.
These protests highlight a deep political divide in Brazil, with Bolsonaro’s camp mobilized in opposition to Lula’s presidency amid tensions over issues of justice, political rights, and national governance. As of the latest reports, there is no indication of further protests by Michelle Bolsonaro beyond the events around August 3, 2025.
Timeline, Locations, and Key Statements
| Date | Location | Key Event | Michelle Bolsonaro’s Key Statement | |----------------|----------|------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------| | August 3, 2025 | Belém | Led largest pro-Bolsonaro protest in Belém as part of nationwide rallies in 23+ cities | “Today, the reaction to injustices begins,” framing it as a fight against censorship and for freedom |
In the context of the ongoing political landscape in Brazil, protests against President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva were not limited to Belém, with at least 23 cities nationwide participating in the "Reaja Brasil" (React Brazil) rallies. These demonstrations, including the one in Belém, were framed by Michelle Bolsonaro as a fight against censorship and injustice. Moreover, the war-and-conflicts between the two political factions over issues of justice, political rights, and national governance is becoming more prominent in the general-news, with crime-and-justice being a key focus as allegations against former President Jair Bolsonaro and his allies are being investigated.
