Other demonstrations in Copacabana have already had 111,000 (at 7.Set.2022) and up to 45,000 (on 21.abr.2024); Event was to ask for amnesty to convicts on January 8
The act called by the former president (PL) For this Sunday (16.mar.2025), in Copacabana, Rio, gathered about 26,000 people at peak-when the former chief executive spoke to his supporters (11:30 to 12:30). The demonstration defended the amnesty to those involved in the attacks on the headquarters of the three powers in Brasilia on January 8, 2023.
To make the calculation, the Poder360 uI am high -resolution aerial photos taken with drone at the time of higher concentration at the scene of the act, precisely during Bolsonaro’s speech. The former president spoke for approximately 40 minutes from 11:30 to 12:30. With the photos available, the terrain busy was squad so that it was possible to know how many square meters there was audience – and the Poder360 marked the places according to the concentration: 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 6 protesters per square meter. Then he added the number of people in each square meter and reached the total number – which will always be approximate, because in concentrations of this nature people move.
The size of the public was significantly below Bolsonaro’s expectations. On March 10, he in giving a “Message to Brazil and the World” And said waiting “1 million people”. Days later, it reduced the number: “We hope to put at least 500,000 people there”.
This was Bolsonaro’s 4th act after leaving the presidency. Of the acts called since 2021 by the former president in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo-prince stages of major demonstrations in the country-today recorded the least adherence:
- 25.fev.2024 – of at Av. Paulista, in São Paulo;
- 21.abr.2024 – of in Copacabana, in Rio;
- 7.set.2024 – nearly People at Av. Paulista, in São Paulo;
- 7.set.2022 – About people in Copacabana, Rio;
- 7.set.2021 – There is no public data.
See below the photos made by the act:
See aerial images of Bolsonaro act in Copacabana
The act was scheduled for 10am. Besides Bolsonaro, the senator (PL-RJ), Pastor Silas Malafaia, PL President, and the deputies (PL-MG), (PL-RJ) e (PL-GO).
Read below highlights of the speeches:
Power Methodology360
O Poder360 Used Google Earth to delimit this Sunday’s demonstration area. From the analysis of the photos and the videos, the density of the occupied places was estimated and divided into categories of:
- low density – One person per m²;
- average density – 2 people per m²;
- high density – 3 people per m².
The public in such an event is floating. Some areas were more or less full throughout the morning and early afternoon. Nor is it possible to clearly identify the audiences under the trees or buildings of buildings. Because of these limitations, the Poder360 estimated that the public was in the range of 23,000 to 29,000 people.
See images of the act in Copacabana:
See photos of Bolsonaro’s act in Copacabana
The act in Copacabana was organized by Pastor Silas Malafaia
The act in Copacabana was organized by Pastor Silas Malafaia
Bolsonaro spoke for about 40 minutes
Bolsonaro spoke for about 40 minutes
The time of the highest concentration took place during Bolsonaro’s speech, which began at 11:38
The time of the highest concentration took place during Bolsonaro’s speech, which began at 11:38
Bolsonaro supporters also posters in support of US President Donald Trump
Bolsonaro supporters also posters in support of US President Donald Trump
Some protesters also carried objects in support of Israel
Some protesters also carried objects in support of Israel
Clezão’s widow, Edjane da Cunha, also attended the event
Clezão’s widow, Edjane da Cunha, also attended the event
The demonstration calls for amnesty those involved on January 8
The demonstration calls for amnesty those involved on January 8
Protesters wore green and yellow clothes and carried accessories with the Brazilian flag print
Protesters wore green and yellow clothes and carried accessories with the Brazilian flag print
The act began around 10 am
The act began around 10 am
Federal Deputy Nikolas Ferreira spoke alongside former President Jair Bolsonaro | Douglas Shineidr/Power360 – 16.mar.2025
Federal Deputy Nikolas Ferreira spoke alongside former President Jair Bolsonaro | Douglas Shineidr/Power360 – 16.mar.2025
PL President Valdemar Costa Neto
PL President Valdemar Costa Neto
Protesters also took posters against STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes
Protesters also took posters against STF Minister Alexandre de Moraes
The demonstration was held in Copacabana, in Rio
The demonstration was held in Copacabana, in Rio
USP estimated
The USP (University of São Paulo) estimated that the act called by Bolsonaro had an audience of approximately 18,300 people. The margin of error is 2,200 people, more or less. The calculation is done with the help of Chinese software called Point to Point Network. Understand of Poder360 How the program works. In April 2024, the researchers estimated that the act had gathered about 32,700 protesters.
Read the survey of researchers (PDF – 15 MB).
Police points out more protesters
Already the (Military Police of the State of Rio de Janeiro) reported in its profile in the (formerly Twitter) that their estimate of local protesters is about 400,000 people. According to security forces, there were no records of violence or other occurrences during the act.
Act in Copacabana
The act is part of a mobilization to press Congress and the Supreme Court (STF) for annulment of the penalties imposed on those involved in the extremist acts of 8 January 2023.
It is the 1st demonstration since the PGR (Attorney General’s Office) denounced former President Jair Bolsonaro (PL) for coup attempt.
The event was organized and funded by the evangelical pastor and longtime Bolsonaro ally, Silas Malafaia. It is the 3rd with the former president funded by the religious leader. He sponsored the acts of February 25 and September 7, 2024, on Paulista Avenue (SP).
Watch the act (1h35min37s):
Low Adhesion Reasons
There is no way to know why there was less public on Sunday than in other Bolsonarist demonstrations.
One possibility is that a certain tiredness is occurring on the part of voters in relation to strong polarization in politics. This does not mean that Bolsonaro may be losing support, as several opinion polls still point him as a competitive candidate for the Planalto Palace – although he is currently ineligible by determination of the TSE (Superior Electoral Court).
Perhaps a phenomenon of exhaustion of polarization is underway, with Brazilians (the most conservative and right voters) slightly tired of the extreme division between pro-Jair Bolsonaro and Pro-Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) politicians.
There is another factor to be considered, which was the date of today: this was a Sunday at the end of the Carioca Football Championship, with the game between Flamengo and Fluminense, in Maracanã. Although the act started at 10am and the game was only at 4 pm, many former president supporters may have preferred to go to only one of the events.
