On February 22, 2025, news broke out of the cancellation of the "Fora Lula" protest originally set for March 16, 2025, in Belo Horizonte, following directives from former President Jair Bolsonaro. The decision to cancel the protest was mainly influenced by aims to consolidate efforts for the larger planned event to take place on the same date at Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro.
Deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG), who had previously called for supporters to attend the Belo Horizonte event, took to social media to clarify his position. "How I was not organizing the protest here, I had no power to cancel it or not. I was only supporting - as I was doing. And until then, it was maintained. Now, not anymore, from what I learned, along with you here," Ferreira stated.
The shift of focus from Belo Horizonte to Rio is seen as part of Bolsonaro's strategy to exhibit the strength of his support base. The previous protests had not drawn the anticipated crowds, raising concerns among organizers about the potential lack of momentum surrounding the movement aimed at pushing for Lula's deposition and advocating for amnesty for those involved in the January 8 disturbances.
According to reports, Bolsonaro’s invitation to rally supporters was predicated on avoiding dilution of the event's impact, concentrating all efforts toward the Rio demonstration, which he hopes will reflect significant public support. This shift, nonetheless, has left some of Ferreira's supporters questioning the reasons for the cancellation.
"The objective of the movement is to concentrate all efforts at the event in Rio," stated Bruno Engler, another deputy affiliated with the protest. They aim for the protest to not only showcase dissatisfaction with the current government headed by Lula but also to draw international attention to their cause.
At the anticipated Rio gathering, attendees will include key bolsonarista figures such as former President Bolsonaro and prominent pastor Silas Malafaia, who has frequently served as the face of Bolsonaro’s public events. The rally is tied to broader political messages such as the need for economic stability and critique of the current government under President Lula.
Jair Bolsonaro, during speeches earlier on, expressed his aspirations for the event, projecting attendance figures upwards of one million supporters. He emphasized during the Seminar for Communication of the Liberal Party (PL) the importance of unity and organizing effectively. "I managed to compose conversations with leaders, I cannot do anything alone; we will put one million people on Copacabana on March 16. We will ask not to take any poster, so no infiltrator brings anything with some odd phrase," he asserted.
The huge anticipated turnout not only seeks to influence the political discourse but also aims to add pressure upon certain legal measures facing Bolsonaro, including investigations by the Federal Public Prosecutor’s Office concerning alleged attempts at orchestrated violence against Lula and the judiciary.
Since the announcement of the protest's cancellation, reactions have been mixed among supporters online and within the wider bolsonarista community. Many expressed dissatisfaction, with questions raised about the effectiveness of the strategy to concentrate efforts solely on the Rio event.
The dynamics among bolsonaristas remain complex as they navigate internal dissent and public expectations during this politically charged atmosphere. The cancellation of this protest demonstrates shifting strategies as Bolsonaro and supporters face increasing political challenges amid their broader objectives.
Meanwhile, even though the Belo Horizonte event is off, rumors of various other demonstrations persist, showcasing the resilience of political movements within Brazil. For example, new calls are circulating for alternate rallies scheduled for other cities, such as Uberlândia, also targeting the same date.
Anticipation for the Rio event continues to build; it remains to be seen if the re-routed energies of the protests will translate to the momentum Bolsonaro aims to achieve. The political stakes are undeniable, as both opposition and government sides prepare for the potential fallout from this singular yet pivotal moment.