BRAZIL on Monday observed the anniversary of last year’s right-wing coup attempt.

The rebellion on January 8 in Brasilia saw thousands of supporters of former president Jair Bolsonaro invade government buildings and called for a military intervention to remove President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva from office.

Several demonstrations in defence of democracy took place across the South American country, hours after federal police carried out dozens of search warrants as part of the ongoing investigation targeting those responsible for the mayhem.

Prosecution plus a ban on Mr Bolsonaro from running for office stands in contrast to the US, where Donald Trump is running again for president and has been dominating the campaign for the Republican nomination so far, even though he faces federal and state charges for his alleged role in a similar uprising on January 6 2021.

On Sunday night in the capital, Brasilia, the words “democracy unites us” were projected on Congress’s annexe buildings that tower behind its chambers.

The Supreme Court inaugurated an exhibition about “reconstruction, memory and democracy” displaying damaged pieces and other tangible traces of the attack, and Congress hosted another pro-democracy event, where officials presented a tapestry by renowned artist Roberto Burle Marx that was damaged by rioters and painstakingly restored. 

“Thousands of seemingly ordinary people were moved by falsehoods, conspiracy theories and resentment,” Supreme Court president Luis Roberto Barroso said. 

“They were transformed into criminals, apprentice terrorists.”

At a demonstration in Rio, some 500 people gathered, including Penelope Toledo.

She said: “It didn’t start on that day and it didn’t finish that day, because we are conquering democracy daily and, if we waver, a coup will come.”

“If we waver, the forces damaging to society will return. That date represents our fight, it represents the resistance of the Brazilian people.”