Brazil protests: 37 arrested and more than $2.24 million in fines

Article republished from Revista Oeste

In the early afternoon of Thursday November 3, protesters were totally blocking the flow of traffic on 13 federal highways. In another 60 points, there were disruptions of traffic, according to the latest data released by the Federal Highway Police (PRF). The protests, according to the agency, is occurring in seven states. Santa Catarina still has the most, with 16 partial disruptions and 11 blockades. Mato Grosso has 24 partial disruptions, followed by Rondônia with 10. The other states are Amazonas, Mato Grosso do Sul, Pará and Paraná.

So far, 37 arrests have been made and 4,200 fines have been issued to drivers who blocked federal highways across the country. The numbers were released today by the Minister of Justice, Anderson Torres. According to him, the traffic infractions amount to R$ 11.3 million (US$ 2.24 million).

The groups have been blocking traffic since Sunday October 30, after the election results. They are protesting the victory of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT). Since then, the PRF, with an order from the Federal Supreme Court, has acted at various points to clear the roads and highways. In some states, such as São Paulo, shock troops were deployed to remove the protesters from the highways.

On Wednesday November 2, before Bolsonaro spoke, ministers of his government, such as Infrastructure, Marcelo Sampaio, and Justice, Anderson Torres, had already called for an end to the protests.

In yesterday's statement, the president said that protests are welcome and part of the democratic game. However, there is something that is not legal: the closing of highways throughout Brazil. "This undermines people's right to come and go, which is guaranteed by the Constitution," he said.