22 Sep 2018 | 06:34 AM UTC
Brazil: Women to protest presidential candidate Sep. 29
Women’s group plans nationwide rallies to oppose presidential candidate Jair Bolsonaro; traffic disruptions anticipated around all protests
Event
The United Women Against Bolsonaro group is planning to hold nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, September 29, in opposition to Jair Bolsonaro’s presidential bid. Over a million people are expected to participate in the rallies in major urban areas across the country, including in the states of São Paulo, Rio Grande do Sul, Rio de Janiero, Minas Gerais, and Santa Catarina. The rally in the city of São Paulo will take place at Largo da Batata, beginning at 17:00 (local time). Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are anticipated around all protest sites.
Context
The organization claims Jair Bolsonaro and his party represents misogyny and does not respect women. Bolsonaro is running for president on the Social Liberal Party (PSL) ticket and holds a lead in recent polling for the upcoming October 7 election. He suffered near-fatal wounds after being stabbed during a campaign event in Juiz de Fora (Minas Gerais state) on September 6. Although he has a strong following, Bolsonaro is also a controversial figure, having come under fire for inflammatory statements regarding women, Afro-Brazilians, and the LGBT community.
Advice
Individuals in Brazil are advised to anticipate traffic disruptions in the vicinity of protest and avoid all political demonstrations as a precaution due to the risk of violence.
