Blisters on feet and UPA: politicians report pain and fatigue during Nikolas’ walk

Bolsonaro politicians who joined the walk initiated by federal deputy Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG) to Brasília, on Monday, reported pain and fatigue due to the long journey, requiring hospital care and the use of medication. The objective of the action, according to them, is to defend amnesty for former president Jair Bolsonaro and the others arrested for the January 8 coup attempt.

Through social media, parliamentarians shared images of the injuries, and the most common complaint is blisters and calluses on their feet. The route is expected to be completed next Sunday, in a demonstration held at Praça do Cruzeiro, located in the federal capital.

On social media, on Thursday night, after 144 kilometers of walking, Nikolas shared images of his swollen feet, with injured ankles and one of his toes. The deputy said that the day was “most tiring”, and he also felt pain in his knee, but considered that “a lot of good people” joined the event.

— We found people to provide space for us on a farm on the side of the road. I’m going to take a shower and there’s more tomorrow. Today was truly the most tiring day, but also, at the same time, a lot of good people along the road. Thank God for everything,” he said.

The parliamentarian also shared images of members with their legs in a bowl of ice, while others showed blisters on their feet due to spending a long time in sneakers. He also took the opportunity to mock those who say that traveling the stretch has been an act. On social media, despite the support received, criticisms from opponents also circulated: “political-electoral event”, questioned an internet user, who claimed that the deputy will hold “a big rally” when he arrives in Brasília.

Also yesterday afternoon, state deputy Bruno Zambelli (PL-SP) published a video in which he appears helping Nikolas walk, while the deputy limps and has expressions of pain.

“Always count on me. You have already written a new page in the history of our nation. I will be with you until the end. In the easy moments and, especially, in the most difficult ones”, wrote the parliamentarian.

Fernando Holiday (PL), a councilor from São Paulo, had to abandon the walk at the end of the afternoon. On social media, he posted images of him unable to walk and with his knee bandaged, being taken in a wheelchair to an Emergency Care Unit (UPA). He stated that he was diagnosed with chondropathy (cartilage wear), and that he will continue to use crutches.

— I went through everything you can imagine, but there was no way. Every step was an absurd pain, I couldn’t stretch or bend my right knee,” he said. — I will try to continue, because our cause is much greater than any pain.

Holiday’s video already has almost 900,000 views on the social network X, amid criticism and praise, and has become the target of irony from the opposition. “Not only are you not working, you are overloading the public system”, asked a man; “performative business” and “embarrassing”, published another.

One of the first to join the walk, federal deputy Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO) said that “everything is hurting” in his body, but that he will remain firm. This Friday, the parliamentarian admitted that, during the night, he thought about not being able to reach his final destination, in Brasília, next Sunday.

— Skinned foot, I went to take off the tape and all the skin came off the toe, it’s “in the flesh”. Yesterday, before going to sleep, was the first time I thought: “man, has this reached the end for me?” – he said. — But I thought, if we’ve already come this far, I can’t stop, even if I have to crawl.

André Fernandes (PL-CE), another who joined on the first day, had to interrupt the activity this Thursday afternoon. He had to use medication to treat the blisters on his feet, the “most recurrent” symptom, which also affected names such as São Paulo councilor Lucas Pavanato (PL).

— I couldn’t continue. I stopped. The guy here sold white rice with egg, excellent by the way. Three in the afternoon and we hadn’t eaten anything yet. The procession stopped 12 kilometers ahead. Now I’m trying to take care of the calluses to see if I improve “anything”, and continue — said Fernandes, who returned to the route.

Recently operated on and with mobility problems, senator Magno Malta (PL-ES) also participates in the initiative. He arrived at the walk using walking sticks and, along the route, he is being taken by Bolsonaristas in a wheelchair. The route began in the municipality of Paracatu, close to the border with Goiás and approximately 240 km away on foot from the federal capital.

This Wednesday, the Federal Highway Police (PRF) said that the deputy’s initiative creates “extraordinary risks” to traffic on BR-040. According to the PRF, “there was no prior communication of the movement with the traffic authority, which prevented advance planning of risk mitigating measures for the section”. The corporation highlighted “the risks inherent to the extraordinary flow on the road” for “strictly operational and road safety” reasons and confirmed that it monitors movement.

In a note sent to press vehicles, Nikolas’ team, however, said that letters were sent to the PRF and the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT). The parliamentarian’s office argued that he decided to start the walk on the same day he began the journey.

“Still, on the day of the start, the advisory department sent letters to the PRF and ANTT, officially communicating the route along BR-040. It should be noted that on the first day the number of people was still small as it was the first day”, said the note.

Federal deputies Lindbergh Farias (PT-RJ) and Rogério Correia (PT-MG) asked the PRF to interrupt Nikolas’ walk on the highway and redirect the mobilization elsewhere. In the document, they cite the presence of helicopters at the march as a security risk factor.

— It is prohibited for you to walk on the shoulder of a federal highway like that (…) There are sections where they enter the main road. This is absurd. And helicopters of millionaires bringing deputies, landing on the side of the road. That’s a crime,” Lindbergh said.

See the main names:

Federal senators and deputies:

André Fernandes (PL-CE);

Carlos Jordy (PL-RJ);

Filipe Barros (PL-PR);

Gustavo Gayer (PL-GO);

Junio ​​Maral (PL-MG);

Luiz Lima (Novo-RJ);

Senator Magno Malta (PL-ES);

Senator Marcio Bittar (PL-AC);

Major Vitor Hugo (PL-GO);

Maurício do Vôlei (PL-MG);

Nikolas Ferreira (PL-MG);

Sergeant Fahur (PSD-PR);

Sergeant Gonçalves (PL-RN);

Zucco (PL-RS);

State deputies and councilors:

Captain Martim (Republicans), state deputy for Rio Grande do Sul;

Chiara Biondini (PP), state deputy for Minas Gerais;

Eduarda Campopiano (PL), councilor for Praia Grande (SP);

Fernando Holiday (PL), councilor for São Paulo;

João Pedro Pugina (PL), councilor for Araçatuba (SP);

Lucas Pavanato (PL), councilor for São Paulo;

Lucas Polese (PL), state deputy for Espírito Santo;

Matheus Braga (DC), councilor for Ipatinga (MG);

Pablo Almeida (PL), councilor for Belo Horizonte;

Rafael Satiê (PL), councilor for Rio de Janeiro;

Thiago Medina (PL), councilor for Recife;

Thomaz Henrique (PL), councilor for São José dos Campos (SP);

Ugleno Alves (PL), councilor for Teófilo Otoni (MG);

Vile Santos (PL), councilor for Belo Horizonte.

Others:

Carlos Bolsonaro (PL), former councilor of Rio de Janeiro;

Douglas Garcia (PL), former state deputy from São Paulo;

Estefane Sampaio, influencer;

Marcelo Bonifácio, gospel singer;

Wess Guimarães, influencer;

Guilherme Batista, pastor and influencer.

Pedro Pôncio, influencer.