Bolsonaro backers take to Brazil's streets before verdict. Lula calls for sovereignty against Trump

[Judi Lynn]

By ELÉONORE HUGHES and MAURICIO SAVARESE
Updated 10:18 PM CDT, September 7, 2025

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — Tens of thousands of supporters of Brazil’s former President Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets on Sunday, the country’s Independence Day, to rally against the Supreme Court ahead of its verdict this week in their leader’s alleged coup trial.

On Saturday evening, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva said Brazil will not accept foreign influence in its domestic affairs, in yet another reference to persistent criticism and sanctions imposed on his country by his American counterpart Donald Trump.

In recent years, Bolsonaro’s allies have turned Sept. 7 into an annual show of political force. Lula sought to turn the focus of this year’s Independence Day to sovereignty.

Crowds dressed in yellow and green once again gathered in Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo and the capital Brasilia to back Bolsonaro, who is under house arrest ahead of his verdict. Their favorite target was Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, the rapporteur of the case.

Bolsonaro is standing trial for allegedly leading a coup to stay in power despite his 2022 election defeat to MLula. He denies the charges and says he is being politically persecuted.

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https://apnews.com/article/brazil-bolsonaro-protests-verdict-week-987d77696b5c88eaeace3ce9450291a8