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Thousands protest against anniversary of Brazil’s coup

Thousands take to the streets of several major Brazilian cities against the 55th anniversary of the coup that instituted the country's 1964-1985 military regime

Demonstrators hold photos of persons who were killed during Brazil's dictatorship during a protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, March 31, 2019. Over the objections of human rights groups but with the support of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, some military bases are commemorating the March 31, 1964 coup that lasted two decades in Brazil and made thousands of victims. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)
Demonstrators hold photos of persons who were killed during Brazil's dictatorship during a protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Sunday, March 31, 2019. Over the objections of human rights groups but with the support of far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, some military bases are commemorating the March 31, 1964 coup that lasted two decades in Brazil and made thousands of victims. (AP Photo/Andre Penner)Read moreAndre Penner / AP
    by The Associated Press, The Associated Press
    Published 

SAO PAULO (AP) — Thousands of demonstrators took to the streets in several major Brazilian cities Sunday to protest the 55th anniversary of the coup that instituted the country's 1964-1985 military regime.

The demonstrations took place in 10 states, a day after an appeals court judge overturned another judge*s decision barring the commemorations sought by far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, a former army captain who has sparked controversy with comments seen as racist, homophobic and misogynist, and has praised the authoritarian regime.

In Brasilia, the nation's capital, protesters marched chanting "dictatorship never again."

Brazil's armed forces overthrew President Joao Goulart on March 31, 1964.

"Bolsonaro expresses his love for the dictatorship because he thinks that violence will resolve the country's problems," said Marcos Souza, a 37-year-old bank worker in a Rio protest.

The celebrations called for by Bolsonaro were roundly condemned by human rights activists and social groups that quickly organized Sunday's protests.

A 2014 report by the country's truth commission concluded that at least 434 people were killed or disappeared during the military regime Bolsonaro repeatedly praises.

During Bolsonaro's 28 years in Congress, he repeatedly expressed support and admiration for the military regime. During last year's election, that position angered and shocked many Brazilians while seducing others who think of the dictatorship as a time of low crime and general order. Bolsonaro has said the dictatorship should have gone farther in killing communists who threatened Brazil and that what happened on March 31, 1964 was not a coup.

“Brazil has become the laughing stock of the world,” said 67-year-old Carmelena Nassar in Rio. “I am here to defend the future of my children and grandchildren. We cannot return to that period of tortures and murders we already experienced.”