Thousands rally against president’s Covid policies in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro (dpa) 30 May 2021-   Brazilians took to the streets in dozens of cities in their thousands on Saturday to protest against the Covid policies of President Jair Bolsonaro and his government.  

In Rio de Janeiro, demonstrators marched from the statue of Zumbi de Palmares, a hero of the Afro-Brazilian human rights movement. In the afternoon, protesters in Sao Paulo filled the central avenue Paulista. In Recife, the police used rubber bullets and tear gas against protesters, and a councillor was attacked with pepper spray.  

Demonstrators demanded that the government impeach Bolsonaro, procure much-needed coronavirus vaccines and increase social welfare spending.  

In Brazil, with its 210 million inhabitants, over 460,000 deaths have been recorded since the beginning of the pandemic.   Bolsonaro played down the coronavirus from the start. He continues to reject protective measures.  
Meanwhile, the right-wing populist also fails to see the point of vaccinations. A parliamentary committee of inquiry is looking into his coronavirus crisis management.