Politics · Brazil · 1 hr ago
Lula supporters rally in São Paulo as he trails Flávio Bolsonaro
Left-wing supporters gathered on Paulista Avenue in São Paulo on Sunday for a rally with President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The event, called the March for Democracy, was organized by fan groups, student organizations, social movements and left-wing parties.
Lula’s allies said they wanted to lift supporters’ spirits after Flávio Bolsonaro led Lula in the first round of the presidential election.
A Datafolha poll taken after the runoff contest was set showed Flávio with 52% of valid votes and Lula with 48%.
The rally was due to move from the area outside the São Paulo Museum of Art to Roosevelt Square.
Separately, Brazil’s electoral court ordered the removal of a WhatsApp channel supporting Lula, saying it spread disinformation, after Flávio’s campaign requested action.
The rally and online organizing were efforts to energize Lula’s supporters before the runoff.
Left-wing demonstrators gathered on São Paulo’s Avenida Paulista for a rally supporting President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.
The rally aimed to counter low morale among Lula supporters as he trails Flávio Bolsonaro in the presidential runoff.
A Datafolha poll found Bolsonaro with 52% of valid votes and Lula with 48%.
The event, called the March for Democracy, was convened by fan communities, student groups, social movements and left-wing parties.
Lula was expected to attend, alongside politicians and artists.
- Who
- Lula supporters and other left-wing demonstrators gathered for the rally. Lula was expected to attend.
- What
- They held the March for Democracy to boost support for Lula.
- When
- Sunday, October 11, 2026. The gathering began at 11 a.m.
- Where
- Avenida Paulista in São Paulo, starting outside the Masp and expected to proceed to Praça Roosevelt.
- Why
- Organizers and allies sought to counter low morale among Lula supporters as he trailed Flávio Bolsonaro.
Lula supporters
Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign
Election standing
Lula supporters
Lula's allies sought to boost support for him as he trailed Bolsonaro.
Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign
Bolsonaro was ahead of Lula in the first round, and a Datafolha poll showed him leading in valid votes.
WhatsApp channel
Lula supporters
André Janones led an online effort to expand Lula's digital supporters.
Flávio Bolsonaro's campaign
Bolsonaro's campaign asked for the channel to be taken down, and the TSE president ordered its removal, saying it spread disinformation.
I think we ran a campaign that fell short of what I could have done. I think we could have done more. I told Edinho that this was the least organized campaign I have taken part in since 1989. And usually we reap what we sow.
Lula told allies that his first-round campaign was the least organized of his presidential campaigns since 1989.
The rally began at 11 a.m. outside the Masp on Avenida Paulista.
TSE president Kassio Nunes Marques ordered the removal of the WhatsApp channel “Exército do Lula” at the request of Bolsonaro's campaign.
- Datafolha poll
- Flávio Bolsonaro 52% and Lula 48% of valid votes
- Rally name
- March for Democracy
- Rally start
- 11 a.m. outside the Masp
- Planned route
- Avenida Paulista to Praça Roosevelt in central São Paulo
- WhatsApp channel
- Exército do Lula” had more than 3 million members
Sources
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