Brazil’s Bolsonaro supporters clash with police over Lula’s election
- TV footage showed vehicles on fire in the capital Brasilia on Monday night and police attempting to disperse protesters with tear gas
- But president-elect Lula is safe, authorities say; unrest began when police detained an indigenous chief said to be urging people to try to stop his certification
Supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro clashed with police in Brazil’s capital after an indigenous leader who sought to stop the certification of leftist Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was arrested by determination of a top court justice.
TV footage showed cars and buses on fire in Brasilia on Monday night, and police trying to disperse protesters in different parts of the city with tear gas. The president-elect is safe and security around his hotel has been reinforced, according to incoming Justice Minister Flavio Dino and police authorities.
The situation was calm by Tuesday morning after demonstrators were dispersed overnight. Traffic was slower than usual as police blocked several highways leading to the esplanade of ministries, congress and the Supreme Court.
Unrest started when the federal police carried out an order by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes to detain Serere Xavante, an indigenous chief who the court identified as leading a series of demonstrations in which he allegedly called on Brazilians to take up arms to stop Lula’s certification.
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Protesters tried to break into the federal police building where Xavante was being held, but failed to free him. Demonstrations then spilled over to other parts of the city, including near a mall where several cars were set on fire.