Tear Gas Deployed as Bolsonaro Supporters Storm Brazil's Congress

Supporters of Brazil’s former president Jair Bolsonaro broke through barriers and clashed with police as they stormed into the country’s National Congress and Supreme court in Brasília on Sunday, January 8.

Footage streamed live to social media by Jornal Brasilia Norte shows police deploying tear gas near the Supreme Federal Court building, in an effort to deter protesters. Other groups of protesters can also be seen at the National Congress building.

People in the crowd, driven by false claims that the presidential election was stolen, chanted slogans and held signs that called for a military coup, local media reported.

The incident occurred one week after Luis Inacio Lula da Silva was sworn in as the country’s president. Da Silva vowed to punish protesters and signed a decree declaring federal intervention in Brasilia.

The Minister of Justice and Public Security, Flávio Dino, had earlier announced additional security in Brasília as a result of threats from Bolsonaro supporters. Credit: Jornal Brasilia Norte via Storyful