Supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro gathered in São Paulo on Saturday for an Independence Day rally, spurred on by the Brazilian government’s decision to block Elon Musk’s X (formerly known as Twitter). Demonstrators, donning Brazil’s yellow-and-green national colors, flooded Av. Paulista, a major boulevard in the city, accusing the government of political persecution following the ban. For them, the blocking of X is further evidence of what they see as an infringement on their freedom of speech.
Banners praising Musk were a common sight, with one reading, “Thank you for defending our freedom.” The rally represents a significant moment for Bolsonaro, testing his ability to galvanize support ahead of Brazil’s October municipal elections, despite the fact that he is barred from running for office until 2030 by the country’s electoral court.
The controversy over X’s Ban
The march also serves as a kind of referendum on the nationwide suspension of X, which was ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on August 30. De Moraes has been at the forefront of efforts to clamp down on misinformation, particularly from far-right groups supporting Bolsonaro. He has intensified his crackdown since the January 2023 riots in Brazil’s Congress and presidential palace, where Bolsonaro’s supporters attempted to overturn his electoral defeat.
De Moraes’ decision to block X comes after months of feuding with Musk over the limits of free speech. Musk, a vocal proponent of unrestricted expression, has used his platform to rally Brazilians against the ban, resharing posts that claim the block on X has awakened people to the idea that “freedom isn’t free and needs to be fought for.” Musk has also created an X account in de Moraes’ name, publishing sealed court orders that directed the platform to shut down accounts deemed unlawful by the Brazilian Supreme Court.
While some Bolsonaro supporters view de Moraes’ actions as authoritarian overreach, the Supreme Court’s decision to ban X was not taken unilaterally. The court has upheld the move, citing concerns over the spread of misinformation by Bolsonaro’s far-right base. Since 2019, X has shut down 226 accounts linked to far-right activities, including lawmakers aligned with Bolsonaro’s political party, as part of the court’s efforts to protect Brazil’s democratic institutions.
When X refused to take action on additional accounts, de Moraes warned that the company’s top executive could face arrest, leading the platform to close its local office in Brazil. The U.S.-based social media giant subsequently refused to appoint a legal representative, a requirement to receive official court notices, prompting de Moraes to suspend the platform nationwide until it complied.
A panel of Supreme Court justices unanimously upheld de Moraes’ decision, despite Musk’s portrayal of the judge as an authoritarian figure bent on suppressing political speech. The more controversial part of de Moraes’ ruling was the imposition of a $9,000 daily fine for regular Brazilians who use virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the ban and access X.
A rally for bolsonaro, free speech, and X
For Bolsonaro’s supporters, Saturday’s rally is about more than just celebrating Brazil’s independence; it’s about defending what they view as their right to free speech in the face of judicial overreach. In the days leading up to the protest, several right-wing politicians defied the ban by using VPNs to call for supporters to join the march on X. The tension surrounding the platform’s suspension has only added fuel to Brazil’s already polarized political climate.
Bolsonaro has consistently framed the Independence Day rallies as opportunities to flex his political strength. This year, he urged his followers to forgo official parades and instead join him in São Paulo, writing on Instagram, “A country without liberty can’t celebrate anything this day.”
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Though no longer in office, Bolsonaro’s political influence remains strong, despite facing multiple legal challenges. He has been indicted twice since leaving the presidency in 2022, most recently for alleged money laundering related to undeclared diamonds from Saudi Arabia. He also remains under investigation by de Moraes for potential involvement in the January 8 riot, raising questions about his role in inciting the violence.
The stakes for Brazil’s political future
The rally marks an important moment for Bolsonaro as he tests his ability to mobilize his base in the lead-up to the October municipal elections. Even though he is barred from running for office, his supporters hope to leverage their influence in local elections to maintain a strong far-right presence in Brazilian politics.
Meanwhile, the country remains deeply divided. While Bolsonaro’s backers view the ban on X as evidence of an oppressive government, his critics see it as a necessary measure to protect democratic processes. The fallout from de Moraes’ decision continues to unfold, with questions lingering about the balance between free speech and the responsibility to curb misinformation in Brazil’s fragile political landscape.
As the situation develops, the blocking of X and the subsequent rally in São Paulo serve as a microcosm of the ongoing struggle between Brazil’s judiciary, its political elite, and the broader population over the future of free expression in the country.
