A Pro-Trump Rally in Brazil Turned into a Brawl
Signs comparing Hillary Clinton to Brazil's former president Roussef. All photos by Jardiel Carvalho

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A Pro-Trump Rally in Brazil Turned into a Brawl

The small rally in São Paulo was peaceful until anti-fascist activists showed up and things got ugly.

This article originally appeared on VICE Brazil.

Last Saturday, about 20 supporters of Donald Trump took to the streets of São Paulo to show their support for the Republican presidential nominee. These were Brazilians who presumably couldn't vote for Trump, but they were American patriots nonetheless—when they gathered in Paulista Avenue, they kicked the day off with a rendition of the "Star-Spangled Banner." Some demonstrators held Trump signs and placards accusing Hillary Clinton of being the North American version of Dilma Roussef (the former Brazilian president who was impeached last August); others wore shirts printed with the face of Brazilian far-right politician Jair Bolsonaro.

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These Trumpistas were outnumbered by journalists, and the made-for-the-cameras action continued peacefully until about 3 PM, when an anti-fascist group arrived. The two opposing demonstrations started yelling at each other, and that was the prelude to some physical confrontations. After things got heated, police officers arrested four anti-Trump protesters, who were released right after being taken to the station.

See more photos of the rally below.

An anti-fascist protester is arrested by police.

Pro-Trump demonstrators shout and gesture toward the anti-fascists.

Some Trump supporters carried signs accusing the Brazilian and American media of being "liars."

The pro-Trump faction made up for their lack of numbers with creative signage.

A street performer in a Michael Jackson costume joined in the anti-Trump action.

A protester who was injured during the clashes

A pair of anti-Trump protesters are arrested by the police.

An anti-fascist protester is arrested by police.

An anti-fascist denounces the pro-Trump Brazilians.