As Brazil tops 500,000 deaths, protests against president
Source: Associated Press
As Brazil tops 500,000 deaths, protests against president
By MARCELO SILVA DE SOUSA
June 19, 2021
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Anti-government protesters took to the streets in more than a score of cities across Brazil on Saturday as the nations confirmed death toll from COVID-19 soared past half a million a tragedy many critics blame on President Jair Bolsonaros attempt to minimize the disease.
Thousands gathered in downtown Rio de Janeiro waving flags with slogans such as Get out Bolsonaro. Government of hunger and unemployment.
Brazil is experiencing a great setback. The country was an exemplary country for vaccination in the world. We have widely recognized institutions, but today we are in a sad situation , said Isabela Gouljor, a 20-year-old student who joined the protest in Rio.
Other marchers hoisted posters reading: 500 thousand deaths. Its his fault, alluding to Bolsonaro.
Similar marches took place in at least 22 or Brazils 26 states, as well as in the Federal District, Brasilia. They were promoted by left-wing opposition parties who have been heartened by Bolsonaros declining poll ratings with next years presidential race looming.
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Demonstrators hold signs that read in Portuguese; "Impeachment now! Bolsonaro in prison" during a protest against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Saturday, June 19, 2021. Brazil's COVID-19 death toll is expected to surpass the milestone of 500,000 deaths on Saturday night. (AP Photo/Marcelo Chello)