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Oct 3, 2021 - World

In photos: Mass protests in Brazil demand Bolsonaro's impeachment

Rebecca Falconer
Hundreds of demonstrators take part in a protest against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 2.

Demonstrators take part in a protest against Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro in São Paulo, Brazil, on Oct. 2. Photo: Nelson Almeida/AFP via Getty Images

Tens of thousands of protesters marched in cities across Brazil on Saturday, calling for President Jair Bolsonaro's impeachment over his government's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, per Reuters.

Why it matters: Brazil's Senate is holding hearings that could lead to Bolsonaro's impeachment as the country's Supreme Court investigates his government’s handling of coronavirus vaccine contracts. Bolsonaro has threatened to reject the results of Brazil's October 2022 presidential election amid poor approval ratings.

Demonstrators hold flags and chant slogans as part of protests against President of Brazil Jair Bolsonaro around the country on October 2, 2021 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Demonstrators hold flags and chant slogans as part of protests against Bolsonaro in Rio de Janeiro. Many of those protesting across the country have ties to the party of former President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who's expected to run against Bolsonaro in 2022, AP notes. Photo: Getty Images
Demonstrators take part in a protest against President Jair Bolsonaro's government, in Brasilia, Brazil, Oct. 2.
Demonstrators take part in a protest against Bolsonaro's government in Brasília on Oct. 2. Protesters have also been marching to highlight inflation and high fuel prices, according to Reuters. Photo: Mateus Bonomi/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images
An image of Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro is burnt during a protests demanding his resignation, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on October 2
An image of Bolsonaro is burnt during a São Paulo protest Oct. 2. Bolsonaro has repeatedly played down the pandemic and been fined for flouting a state government mask mandate. Photo: Nelson Almeida/AFP via Getty Images
Protesters with crosses at an anti-Bolsonaro demonstration in Rio de Janeiro on October 2.
Protesters with crosses at an anti-Bolsonaro demonstration in Rio de Janeiro on Oct. 2. Nearly 598,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Brazil, according to Johns Hopkins University. Photo: Getty Images
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