The demonstration took place 1 day after PM action left protesters injured in the USP rectory, which had been occupied by students
The demonstration by students from São Paulo state universities brought together around 2,500 people and blocked Avenida da Consolação, in the center of São Paulo, on Monday afternoon (May 11, 2026). The group left Praça da República towards the USP Faculty of Medicine, which of students also this Monday.
The route is approximately 4.5 km and was covered over approximately 3 hours.
The event was held at Praça da República
Before the start of the walk, during the gathering at Praça da República, there were protesters, supporters of the former president (PL) and the Military Police. The confusion began when councilor Adrilles Jorge and influencer Robson Fuinha arrived at the scene and began recording students present at the demonstration.
In response, protesters began chanting “go to work” to the 2. Adrilles responded by saying, “I pay for your universityThe Military Police launched tear gas bombs to disperse the confusion.
The demonstration was held in front of the rectory of the São Paulo State University and brought together students from USP, Unesp and the State University of Campinas. The act had been called to accompany a meeting of Cruesp (Council of Rectors of São Paulo State Universities), canceled before the start of the act.
The demonstration is by students from São Paulo state universities
Even without the presence of the rectors, representatives of —an organization that brings together entities of professors, employees and students from the three state universities in São Paulo— participated in a meeting with the president of the council to discuss demands from students, professors and employees.
This 2nd event was carried out 1 day after the Military Police vacated the USP rectory, on Sunday. The university building had been occupied since Thursday (May 7, 2026) by striking students. The PM reported that 4 people were taken to the 7th Police District and released after the incident was registered.
At the end of the event this Monday (May 11), agents from the Riot Police took up positions and formed barriers in the region of the USP Faculty of Medicine, but there were no new clashes.
Police formed barriers at the end of the demonstration
Among the agendas defended by the protesters were the increase in student permanence allowance, trans quotas and indigenous entrance exams. At USP, the strike gained strength after the rectory ended negotiations on the readjustment of the permanence allowance.
The students argue that the value of the benefit be increased to R$1,804, equivalent to the minimum wage in São Paulo.
AUDIENCE CALCULATION
O Poder360 used aerial photos to calculate the audience estimate.
With the photos available, the area occupied by the protesters was scanned with Google Earth so that it was possible to know how many square meters there was an audience.
O Poder360 marked the locations according to concentration:
- low density – one person per m²;
- medium-low density – two people per m²;
- medium density – 3 people per m²;
- medium-high density – 4 people per m²;
- high density – 5 people per m².
Then, he added up the number of people in each square meter and arrived at the estimated total – which will always be approximate, as in concentrations of this nature people move from one side to the other frequently. It is also not possible to clearly identify people under trees or building canopies.
