Pro-government protesters gathered on Avenida Paulista, central area of the capital, for an act to support President Dilma RousseffJuca Varella/Agência Brasil

Since Friday (Mar. 18) morning, pro-government protesters gathered on Avenida Paulista, central area of the capital, for an act to support President Dilma Rousseff. Holding flags, banners, and posters, they occupy the midsection space of the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP). There are also three soundcars. The traffic is stopped at part of the route.

Earlier, the military police fired water cannon to disperse the riot of Rousseff's pro-impeachment group, camped outside the building of the Industrial Federation of São Paulo State (FIESP), one block away from the MASP. Officials feared a conflict between the two groups. On Thursday (Mar. 17), a young sympathizer of the Workers' Party (PT) was assaulted while trying to argue with pro-impeachment protesters, who occupied the avenue since Wednesday (Mar. 16) night.

A leader of the Front to Fight for Housing, Antônia Nascimento, 43, said she believes that to defend the government is a way to prevent setbacks in social improvements achieved in recent years. "In the last decade we have managed to establish some rights. Today, we are aware that they are not as improved as they should, but it's already better than before," she pointed out.

For her, there is no balance among the charges made to PT. "The media spends 24 hours showing what happened in PT, but does not report about the other parties. I'm not saying that the PT is perfect, but that justice needs to be equally get," she said.

Student Jéssica Silva, 16, also believes that the country is on the verge of a coup. "Judge Moro is not helping," she said, referring to the release of telephone conversations of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva tapped by Operation Car Wash, which, in her view, he did "for personal and parties' interests." For her, it is important to protest." We live an important moment, which I will tell my children and grandchildren. I did not want to watch it on television."

Several leaders addressed, on the top of soundcars, beside the São Paulo Museum of Art (MASP). Called by the Frente Brasil Popular movement, protesters shouted "no to the coup," repeated by speakers sharing the microphone during intervals of singer Chico César's concert, that cheers protesters.

"This is an act gathering all Brazilian authorities, men and women supporting democracy, defending the right of expression, civil liberties. Not defending hatred, not inciting hatred in society. It is not an act of a single social class and it is not an act of a single ethnic group. It is an act of all Brazilians," said Unified Workers' Center (CUT) President Wagner Freitas.

"The coup is against the workers. Every time the workers establish some rights, the right wing tries to end democracy,"said Freitas.

CUT president criticized some communication channels and federal judge Sérgio Moro.

"Moro is giving interviews causing this act, the judge should judge, not be an actor, he is not a political entity. We are against the dictatorship of toga."

Chief of Staff Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva arrived at the protest at around 7pm.



Translated by Amarílis Anchieta