Analysis: As Brazil cracks down on fake news, Bolsonaro’s new move is straight out of Trump’s playbook
President Jair Bolsonaro, as shown in his office in the presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2019. Bolsonaro ordered security to fire tear gas after demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at the administration building. The government said police had responded with “live ammunition.” (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has ordered security forces to fire tear gas as anti-government protesters called for the resignation of his government. Bolsonaro’s orders follow a day of demonstrations marking the country’s anniversary of independence.
The president’s order was issued Sunday evening in the midst of a tense standoff in which Brazilian police fired tear gas and rubber bullets as demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at the administration building and clashed with security forces in the streets.
The government said police had responded with “live ammunition.”
Brazil: Brazil police firing rubber bullets and tear gas amid protests against Bolsonaro, in Brasilia, Brazil Sunday, Oct. 8, 2019. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Brazilian police use water as projectiles to cover their faces to disperse an anti-government protest in Brasilia, Brazil, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2019. Protesters burned tires and overturned cars to block traffic and called for Bolsonaro’s resignation. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
President Jair Bolsonaro in the presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil Sunday night, Oct. 8, 2019. Bolsonaro ordered the security forces to fire tear gas, after demonstrators threw rocks and Molotov cocktails at the administration building. The government said police had responded with “live ammunition.” (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
Brazilian police stand in front of a security cordon in the streets as anti-government protesters called for the resignation of Bolsonaro’s government, in Brasilia, Brazil Sunday, Oct. 8, 2019. Police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at anti-government protesters who were demanding Bolsonaro’s resignation. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)
A protester shows his hand after he throws a tear gas canister from the top of a