Latin America
Related: About this forumIn a TV Statement, Bolsonaro Says he Defends Democracy, but Still Celebrates 1964 Coup
Speech provoked pot clanging of opponents in cities like Rio, São Paulo and Brasília
Sep.8.2020 2:38PM
Renato Machado
Daniel Carvalho
BRASÍLIA
President Jair Bolsonaro said on TV and radio on Monday (7) that he defends democracy, but he again praised the 1964 coup that started the military dictatorship. To show their disapproval, Brazilians in cities like São Paulo, Rio, and Brasília clanged pots and pans.
"In the 1960s, when the shadow of communism threatened us, millions of Brazilians, identified with the national yearnings for the preservation of democratic institutions, took to the streets against a country overtaken by ideological radicalization, strikes, social disorder, and widespread corruption," said the president.
He made the statements on radio and TV to celebrate Brazil's Independence Day.
Still in his speech, the president declared that he was committed to constitutional values and democracy.
More:
https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/internacional/en/brazil/2020/09/in-a-tv-statement-bolsonaro-says-he-defends-democracy-but-still-celebrates-1964-coup.shtml
Judi Lynn
(160,211 posts)Published 8 September 2020 (3 hours 53 minutes ago)
Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro Monday glorified dictatorship during his speech at the Independence Day ceremony, something that stirred up social unrest in several cities.
By saying that "the blood of Brazilians has always been shed for freedom," the far-right politician wistfully recalled the military coup that inaugurated the authoritarian regime that ruled Brazil from 1964 to 1985. During that period, however, the only blood spilled was that of progressive social, intellectual, religious, and political leaders.
"In the 1960s, when the shadow of communism threatened us, millions of Brazilians identified with national desires to preserve democratic institutions," he said.
"They took to the streets against a country taken by ideological radicalization, strikes, social disorder, and widespread corruption."
. . .
In Belo Horizonte and Rio de Janerio, citizens reacted to his anti-democratic speech by shouting words such as "fascist", "corrupt", and "assassin". Anti-government protesters and Bolsonaro supporters clashed in several cities.
https://www.telesurenglish.net/news/brazil-bolsonaro-praises-dictatorship-at-national-celebration--20200908-0010.html