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Workers remove cones November 2 after police broke a blockade by Bolsonaro supporters
Photo: ANDERSON COELHO / AFP
For days, supporters of President Jair Bolsonaro have been blocking roads and highways in various places in Brazil.
They refuse to accept the electoral defeat against challenger Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva – causing traffic chaos in many parts of the country.
As a result, the Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that the federal police had to take measures to clear the streets.
Where this did not succeed, football fans apparently took care of the matter.
As the British »Guardian« reports, the Bolsonaro supporters not only brought the essential truck freight traffic to a standstill with their blockades, but also antagonized the football fans.
They found themselves handicapped on their trips to away games.
According to the newspaper "O Globo", at least four associations of football ultras broke through the Bolsonarista barricades in the states of Minas Gerais, São Paulo and Paraná to get to matches in the Brasileirão, Brazil's main football league.
Internet videos show football fans clearing tires off the road and trucks driving away.
"The troops blowing up the barricades are here," says a man.
On social media, the amused Brazilians thanked the ultras for defending democracy.
After clearing a section of the freeway in São Paulo, the fans of the local club Corinthians hung up a banner with the inscription "We are for democracy" - and chanted Lula's name.
As well as being the team of President-elect Lula, Corinthians are known for their opposition to Brazil's military dictatorship of 1964-1985, led by footballers such as Sócrates and Casagrande.
Following the election failure, right-wing Bolsonaro supporters are calling for military intervention modeled on the military coup of 1964. The National Confederation of Industry (CNI) has already warned of supply bottlenecks and fuel shortages as a result of the road blockades.
According to the Association of Supermarkets, there are already delivery problems in some states, especially for fruit, vegetables and meat.
Bolsonaro supporters give Hitler salute
In his first public statement after his election defeat, Bolsonaro expressed understanding for the protests on Tuesday.
"The current demonstrations are the result of outrage and a feeling of injustice at the way the electoral process was conducted," said the right-wing leader.
He had previously cast doubt on the electoral system himself.
However, he never presented any evidence of this.
Meanwhile, Bolsonaro supporters gave the Hitler salute during protests in the south of the country.
Hundreds of demonstrators raised their arms in front of a barracks in the village of São Miguel do Oeste in a fascist salute and sang the national anthem, the Globo television station reported on Wednesday.
The Santa Catarina State Attorney's Office launched an investigation.
Using Nazi symbols is also a criminal offense in Brazil.
aeh/dpa
