Crowds Gather in Support of President Jair Bolsonaro on Brazil's Independence Day

Huge crowds of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters rallied in Brasília on September 7 for the country’s 199th independence day.

Video posted by the Reserve General of the Brazilian Army Girao Monteiro shows thousands gathered beside Brazil’s national congress in Brasília to mark the country’s independence day and show support for President Bolsonaro.

The Brazilian president encouraged supporters in advance to attend the demonstration. In his speech, he indirectly criticized members of the Supreme Federal Court as well as the recent arrest of some conservatives, local media reported.

President Bolsonara also participated in a flag-raising ceremony in front of the Alvorada Palace in Brasília.

President Bolsonaro was scheduled to address another mass gathering, in São Paulo, on Tuesday. Demonstrations were expected to be held in smaller cities and towns across the country. Anti-government protests are also expected to take place. ​ Credit: General Girao Monteiro via Storyful