Corinthians fans undo blocks and take banners on their way to Rio

On their way to Rio de Janeiro for the match against Flamengo, on Wednesday night (2), for the Brazilian Championship, Corinthians fans broke through several blocks set up by coup protesters, who contest the presidential elections held last Sunday (30). They released videos of multiple clearances carried out on the way to Maracanã.

The first took place on Tuesday night (1st), when the caravans were getting organized to leave at dawn. There was a barrier on the Tietê waterfront, at the height of Ponte das Bandeiras, set up by voters of President Jair Bolsonaro (PL), defeated by Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). The alvinegros arrived, as shown in the images, and the protesters’ cars left.

The banners that had been placed by the Bolsonaristas on the bridge grid were then removed. In one of the videos of the action, a fan cheers that a protester was so scared that he left his motorcycle behind, with the key in the ignition. The key is then handed over to a police officer.

“It is important to say that it was not an isolated action. In recent years, we have had an expansion of consciousness and greater participation of young people in political processes. Today, we understand that it is important to demonstrate that there are people willing to defend the will that the majority of the people expressed. at the polls”, said Danilo Bird.

He presents himself as a spokesperson for the Somos Democracia group, which has extended its banners in place of those previously exposed. “The great truth is that we would really like the institutions of the State to be functioning. This should be the role of the public security forces. If it were us blocking roads, the answer would be different.”

Part of the group is also a member of the organized Gaviões da Fiel, which emerged in the context of the fight against the military dictatorship, in 1969, and has a history of struggles for democracy. Last Wednesday, in the area it occupies in the Itaquera stadium, a flag was opened with the face of the then PT candidate – who was once the theme of the fans’ carnival – and the phrase “Lula Presidente”.

Part of the associates did not like it and complained to the direction, which released a note saying that it did not support any of the candidates and that the demonstrations in the stands “were spontaneous”. Although much of the uniform has a bright side, the leaders prefer that the actions are not seen as institutional.

Anyway, canceling the caravans to Rio de Janeiro was never under consideration. “Without Fiel, Corinthians won’t play. And we’ll be at Maracanã”, warned one of the leaders, before the buses left. Other vehicles from the organized alvinegras, such as Camisa 12, Estopim da Fiel and Pavilhão Nove, also departed along the Dutra highway.

Corinthians held another dispersion in Francisco Morato, in the metropolitan region of São Paulo. “You can stay on the road on the other side. Here, we already took it off. It won’t make a mess, no. It’s the bolsominion on the other side. Now, everyone leaves in peace, but not closing the highway”, says one fan.

There are also images of a blockade pierced by fans at Dutra, at the time of Jacareí. The videos are similar to those shown by members of Galoucura, from Atlético Mineiro, who traveled to São Paulo last Tuesday to watch the match against São Paulo, at Morumbi. There were similar records from other fans, such as Império Alviverde, from Coritiba.

“Man, what country is this? The police fold their arms, and organized fans have to solve the problem”, observed singer Marcelo D2.

Blockades on Brazilian highways began on Monday (31), the day after Lula’s victory over Bolsonaro at the polls. The protesters contest the result and preach a coup. According to the Federal Highway Police (PRF), on Wednesday afternoon there were obstructions in 17 states.

The mobilizations continue even after the STF (Federal Supreme Court) has established fines and threatened to arrest the director general of the PRF, Silvinei Vasques, for “omission and inertia”. The Supreme Court summoned governors and charged the use of the Military Police, including on federal highways, to normalize the flow, which is already harming the supply of supermarkets and gas stations.

Jair Bolsonaro, in his only (and brief) statement since the election, on Tuesday, complied with the protocol calling for “peaceful demonstrations”, but pointed out that “the current popular movements are the result of indignation and a feeling of injustice at how the electoral process took place. “. In practice, your allies have actively fueled chaos on the roads.