SCOTT DETROW, HOST:
Brazil's Independence Day is being marked not just with parades but with protests. Supporters of former President Jair Bolsonaro have taken to the streets as he stands trial, accused of plotting a coup after losing his 2022 reelection bid. Thousands have turned out in cities across the country in support of the far-right leader, who is a close ally of President Trump, as the high-stakes trial heads toward a verdict this week. If convicted, Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison. Reporter Julia Carneiro is following demonstrations for us in Sao Paulo. Good afternoon, Julia.
JULIA CARNEIRO, BYLINE: Hi, Scott. Good afternoon.
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DETROW: Tell us what you're seeing.
CARNEIRO: I'm in Avenida Paulista, which is a major avenue that has been the epicenter for Bolsonaro supporters in the past years.
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CARNEIRO: And everyone here is dressed in the colors of the Brazilian flag - blue, green, yellow - which people embrace to symbolize patriotism. There are families, people walking with their dogs. There's a guy here having shiatsu done in the middle of the protest. There's a big stage with speeches being held all the time. And it's really packed, people draped in the Brazilian flag. It's a peaceful environment - lots of T-shirts and flags being sold, including some flags of the United States and of Trump right next to former President Bolsonaro.
DETROW: Interesting. Remind us of the charges that he's facing.
CARNEIRO: Well, Bolsonaro's trial entered the final stages this past week in the Supreme Court in the capital Brasilia. And he's facing five charges, including leading a criminal organization that plotted to overturn the government after losing his 2022 reelection bid to the current leftist president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Most signs do point to a conviction. Prosecutors say they have extensive evidence, including video, emails, texts, phone records, showing that Bolsonaro and seven defendants, who are also facing the same trial, led a criminal conspiracy to cling to power. Now, the plot allegedly went as far as planning the assassination of President Lula and Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who's leading the trial. Bolsonaro has, of course, repeatedly denied all these charges.
DETROW: You know, as we've been reporting on our show a lot, President Trump has weighed in in defense of Bolsonaro, who is a strong ally of Trump in South America, saying he's facing a witch hunt. He's, of course, levied tariffs against Brazil as part of his pressure campaign there. Is this influencing Independence Day protests as well?
CARNEIRO: Yes, absolutely. Because of Trump's reaction, people on the left are also demonstrating today in dozens of Brazilian cities, and the defense of Brazil's sovereignty is a major rallying point. But here on Paulista Avenue and in all the pro-Bolsonaro protests happening in Brazil, supporters see Trump as a savior. There's lots of flags here that combine the American and the Brazilian flag in a single flag. There's a flag with Bolsonaro and Trump side-by-side, saying make Brazil great again.
But on the other hand, the official Independence Day celebrations today in the capital Brasilia were held under the motto sovereign Brazil, which has been embraced by the government in reaction to Trump. The words were seen in a huge banner in the middle of the military parade, and the government even handed out caps saying sovereign Brazil to some authorities there. President Lula responded to Trump's threats again earlier today in a televised speech for Independence Day.
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PRESIDENT LUIZ INACIO LULA DA SILVA: (Speaking Portuguese).
CARNEIRO: Lula defended Brazil's sovereignty, saying Brazil was nobody's colony and could govern without the interference from any foreign government.
DETROW: What do we expect from the trial next week?
CARNEIRO: Well, the Supreme Court reconvenes on Tuesday and expects to finish proceedings by the end of the week. So a verdict is expected by Friday, and Bolsonaro could face up to 40 years in prison. And this is really a historic moment for Brazil because Brazil's a young democracy. The military dictatorship finished in 1985, and it's the first time we're seeing a trial for a former head of state accused of a coup attempt.
DETROW: That's reporter Julia Carneiro in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Thank you so much.
CARNEIRO: Thank you. Transcript provided by NPR, Copyright NPR.
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