Brazil: Bolsonaro supporters march in Sao Paulo against ban on X platform | WATCH

New Delhi: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro led thousands of supporters in a protest against the country’s ban on the social media platform X. The protest took place on Brazil’s Independence Day. During his speech, Bolsonaro directly attacked Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who played a pivotal role in enforcing the X ban. Bolsonaro called de Moraes a “dictator” and urged the Federal Senate to intervene.

Dispute between De Moraes and Elon Musk

The ban stemmed from de Moraes’ demand that X appoint a legal representative in Brazil. When X failed to comply, de Moraes suspended the platform. Elon Musk had already closed X's offices in Brazil to avoid previous court orders targeting misinformation.

Supporters rally behind Musk's stance on free speech

Supporters at the rally displayed banners praising Elon Musk for defending free speech, showing alignment with the tech billionaire’s decision to resist the Brazilian judiciary's demands.

🚨 MASSIVE Protests in Brazil in support of Free Speech after the banning of 𝕏

pic.twitter.com/9PXQAoEo9m

— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) September 7, 2024

Although barred from running for office until 2030, the rally was seen as a test of Bolsonaro’s ability to mobilize supporters ahead of the October municipal elections.

Polarization deepens as critics question X ban

While many of Bolsonaro’s critics opposed the X ban, the protest has gained massive support in Brazil, as both sides grapple with the implications of free speech and legal enforcement.