Tens of thousands of demonstrators invaded the Brazil Supreme Court, Congress and presidential palace on 8 January, new reports have said.
As outlined in Reuters, the demonstrators smashed windows, overturned furniture, destroyed art works and stole the country’s original 1988 Constitution. Guns were also seized from a presidential security office.Â
President of Brazil Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has decreed federal intervention of public security in the capital and promised punishment for the leaders.
Riot police arrived two hours after the invasions began and retook the damaged public buildings after three hours, dispersing the crowd with tear gas.
Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes also ordered social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and TikTok to block coup-mongering propaganda.
Justice Minister Flavio Dino said 200 demonstrators had been arrested, but Brasilia Governor Ibaneis Rocha put the number at 400.
