In a dramatic turn of events, thousands of supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro took to the streets of Sao Paulo to protest the nationwide suspension of the social media platform X. The ban, ordered by Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, has ignited a fierce debate over free speech and political persecution in Brazil.
The Rally in Sao Paulo
On Saturday, Sao Paulo’s main boulevard, Av. Paulista, was awash with yellow-and-green as thousands of Bolsonaro supporters gathered for an Independence Day rally. The demonstrators, many of whom carried banners praising tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, viewed the ban on X as a direct attack on their freedom of speech.
Bolsonaro, who has been barred from running for office until 2030, used the rally as a platform to denounce Justice de Moraes, calling him a “dictator.” He also reiterated his unfounded claims that President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva had colluded with the judiciary to steal the 2022 election.
The Controversial Ban
The nationwide ban on X was ordered on August 30 by Justice de Moraes, who has been at the forefront of efforts to curb misinformation on social media. The decision came after months of feuding with Elon Musk, a self-proclaimed “free speech absolutist.” De Moraes’ ruling was upheld by a Supreme Court panel, despite criticism from Bolsonaro’s supporters and some political analysts.
Since 2019, X has shut down 226 accounts linked to far-right activities accused of undermining Brazil’s democracy. When X refused to take action on certain accounts, de Moraes warned that its legal representative could be arrested, leading to the disbandment of X’s local office in Brazil.
Political Implications
The rally served as a litmus test for Bolsonaro’s ability to mobilize his base ahead of the October municipal elections. Despite being barred from running, Bolsonaro remains a polarizing figure in Brazilian politics. His supporters view the ban on X as part of a broader effort to silence conservative voices.
Musk has also played a significant role in the controversy, urging Brazilians to protest the ban and creating an X account to publish sealed court orders. His actions have made him a cause célèbre among Bolsonaro’s supporters, who see him as a champion of free speech.
Legal and Social Ramifications
The ban on X has far-reaching implications for free speech and political discourse in Brazil. The most controversial aspect of de Moraes’ ruling is the $9,000 daily fine for Brazilians using virtual private networks (VPNs) to access X. Some right-wing politicians have defied the ban, using VPNs to call for protests.
Bolsonaro’s legal troubles also loom large. He has been indicted twice since leaving office in 2022, most recently for alleged money laundering involving undeclared diamonds from Saudi Arabia. De Moraes is overseeing an investigation into whether Bolsonaro had a role in inciting the January 8, 2023, riot at Congress and the presidential palace.
