Bolsonaro supporters use school bus to attend demonstration in Belém

By Mari Furtado – From Cenarium

MANAUS (AM) – Chanting “Let’s go see Michelle,” supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro (Liberal Party – PL) were filmed getting off a public school bus from the Municipality of Marabá, located about 500 kilometers from Belém, in the state of Pará, to attend the protest against president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (Workers’ Party – PT) and Supreme Federal Court (STF) justice Alexandre de Moraes, on the afternoon of Sunday, the 3rd, in the capital of Pará.

The video shows at least five people disembarking from the vehicle, wearing pink and yellow shirts with the Liberal Party (PL) symbol printed on them. According to the Fatos Marabá news outlet, the city’s administration denied that the bus belongs to the Secretariat and claimed that the administration of mayor Toni Cunha (PL) simply stated the report was “fake news.” When contacted by CENARIUM, the Secretariat did not comment by the time of publication.

With former First Lady Michelle Bolsonaro present, the rally in Belém began around 8:30 a.m. and was also attended by federal deputies Delegate Éder Mauro (PL) and Delegate Caveira (PL), as well as councilor Zezinho Lima (PL).

The report contacted the state directory of the Liberal Party (PL) to inquire whether any prior authorization had been given for the bus use by demonstrators, but the party stated it would not comment on the matter.

Administrative misconduct

Public transport buses, as a rule, cannot be used for any acts of private interest. That is what electoral law expert Yuri Dantas highlights.

“The practice, in theory, violates the Administrative Improbity Law (…) The improper use of public property for partisan purposes infringes on fundamental principles of public administration, such as legality, impartiality, morality, and efficiency,” Dantas stated.

Lawyer Yuri Dantas, expert in Tax and Political Law (Personal Archive/Reproduction)

According to the lawyer, legality is violated because the use of the bus for partisan purposes has no legal basis and is not among the responsibilities of a public official. Impartiality is violated because the action benefits one party or candidate to the detriment of others, resulting in unequal treatment of citizens.

“Morality is violated because the act demonstrates a lack of ethics and commitment to the public interest. And efficiency is violated because the use of the bus for partisan purposes may compromise the quality and regularity of public transportation services,” the specialist affirmed.

About the rally

At least 16 cities and the Federal District took part in the demonstration against the STF and president Lula on Sunday afternoon. The rallies, named “React Brazil,” also called for amnesty for former president Bolsonaro.

Bolsonaro, who has been under house arrest since Monday afternoon, the 4th, for violating precautionary measures, did not attend the demonstrations in person. The politician is under investigation for suspected crimes such as obstruction of criminal investigations, coercion during legal proceedings, and violent abolition of the Democratic Rule of Law. He was targeted in a Federal Police (PF) operation on July 18.

Edited by Adrisa De Góes
Reviewed by Gustavo Gilona
Translated from Portuguese by Gustô Alves