In 2007, STF went against banning acts in the Three Powers Square

Now, in 2025, Alexandre de Moraes complied with the request of the Attorney General, Paulo Gonet, and vetoed demonstrations at the site

The Praça dos Três Powers, in Brasilia, this Saturday (26.Jul.2025) by determination of Minister Alexandre de Moraes, of the Supreme Court (STF). According to the magistrate, the decision seeks to prevent new episodes similar to January 8. Read the document (PDF – 50 MB).

Only 18 years ago, unanimously, the Supreme decided that it was unconstitutional to prohibit public demonstrations in the square. A, delivered on June 28, 2007, toppled the Federal District Government that prohibited acts with cars or stereos on site.

It was the PT (Workers Party) who proposed the action against the district decree. The rapporteur was Minister Ricardo Lewandowski – today Minister of Justice of the President’s Government (PT) – considered the restriction “Inadequate, unnecessary and disproportionate”.

Decree of 1999 prohibited manifestations

In 1999, the then governor of DF, Joaquim Roriz, elected by the PMDB, prohibited “Any public demonstration” With cars or stereos in the Three Powers Square, in the Esplanade of Ministries, Buriti Square and on adjacent roads.

The PT, together with Contag (National Confederation of Agriculture Workers), CNTE (National Confederation of Education Workers) and CUT (Single Workers’ Central), questioned the constitutionality of the decree.

In the decision, the rapporteur pointed out that CUT had no active legitimacy to propose the action, as consolidated by the Court. However, the action continued in relation to the other applicants.

The parties and entities argued that the measure violated the freedom of meeting guaranteed by, which ensures the right of peaceful meeting in places open to the public.

Ministers defended the right to manifestation

ADI 1,969-4 was unanimously tried among the ministers who voted (Joaquim Barbosa was absent). They were:

Ricardo Lewandowski (relator);
Ellen Gracie (President of the Session);
Carlos Ayres Britto;
Cármen Lúcia;
Celso de Mello;
Cezar Peluso;
Eros Grau;
Gilmar Mendes;
Marco Aurélio;
Sepúlveda belongs.

Lewandowski stated in his vote that “Freedom of meeting and association for lawful purposes is one of the most important achievements of civilization and a foundation of political democracies”.

Ayres Britto said that Brazilian Constitution is “So emphatic and committed to the freedom of meeting that it is regulating”.

Minister Cármen Lúcia said the meetings “Firm arms in profusion” and strengthen human rights: “The square of three powers cannot be more than the people.”

Celso de Mello stated that the right of meeting is constitutionally guaranteed and warned that public agents cannot prevent their exercise under penalty of criminal liability.

Gilmar Mendes pondered the impact of the noise of demonstrations near hospitals, but concluded that he totally banned sound devices “It would completely unfeasible the free expression of thought in meetings”.

Already Sepúlveda belongs suggested that the original purpose of the space was to be occupied by the people. Referred to the decree that prohibited the meeting as a “Rome Unconstitutionality” in relation to an area “Projected in the hope that one day the people covers it, flood it”.

Change of posture

It emerged in a context of political tensions of the 1990s.

During the FHC government (Fernando Henrique Cardoso), great demonstrations led the public power to seek ways to control protests in the federal capital.

On June 21, 1996, for example, a general strike mobilized workers in protest against government economic measures.

Remember that in the last 28 years, GLO (Guarantee of Law and Order) has been used only: two precisely in FHC management. The other was in the Michel Temer government.

The 2025 decision represents a shift in the Supreme Court. The order was enforced by the Federal District Military Police, which installed a new layer of containment bars around the square at the request of the Public Security Secretariat.

The area, usually moved by tourists visiting the Planalto Palace, Congress and the STF, on weekends, remains isolated.

See photos:

PM closes Praça dos Three Powers at the request of Moraes, see photos: