The biggest problem with demonstrations is being broad.

Photo: Wilton Junior / Estadão

On the day that Covid-19 surpassed half a million deaths in Brazil, its streets were again intensely occupied by politics. At a particularly delicate moment, thousands gathered and criticized. This time they were people opposing the authorities. Caution was used in the masks, but there was no outrage. Before the opposition, it was an attempt to express deep mourning – civil and personal – and its pain. But also a way to respond to the insults of the president of the republic.

Paradoxically, the streets are waking up by Jair Bolsonaro himself. With his denial and subversive style, he encourages division and inevitable protest.

The day before, he had climbed the platform again. He participates in the election campaign: on TV Brasil, he showed a T-shirt with a hint of the 2022 elections. On Thursday, he denounced the ballot boxes that chose him in 2018 to challenge next year’s election in advance. A week earlier, he organized another campaign tour in São Paulo. He disputes the vaccine and acts as if there was no pandemic and half a million lives were not lost. He behaves indifferently to the severity of the position.

These are obvious gestures from those who want to provoke a reaction and cause even deeper conflicts. Like his son in the ranks of the KPI, he acts as a provocateur, hoping for a flash of rage, expecting a blow to justify political brutality. In this way, suppression mechanisms are activated that boast and indicate control. Sing “Give me the reasons”?

However, the protests did not fall into the trap. Peaceful, they were critical, symbolic and strong, more expressive than the previous ones. They indicate the presence of an active and dissatisfied society; but realizing the danger of the virus and political pitfalls. The biggest problem with demonstrations – which will certainly continue – will be not to lose themselves as the electoral tool of parties and candidates. Remain as open as necessary in order to lead the country out of its greatest crisis.

Carlos Melo, political scientist. teacher haughty…